Farmer totally shocked after four kittens that he found turned out to be something else

A farmer in Russia found four young animals in his barn one day that he thought were domestic kittens. They were very young and their eyes were not yet open. He waited all day for their mother to return, but she never did.

That's when he decided to come to their aid. When he scooped them up and took them into his house, he discovered upon closer examination that they didn't look at all like any kittens he'd ever seen before. That's when he called Daursky Nature Reserve.

When the reserve agreed to take the kittens and raise them, the staff told him that these young animals were no ordinary domestic cats but originated from a near-threatened species of cat called Pallas' cat, otherwise known as a manul.
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The reserve's two cats immediately began to cuddle the new foster kittens and gave them rough-tongue baths. It was fortunate that they took them in so readily and helped raise the orphaned kittens.

The Pallas' cat has a large distribution over the grasslands and montane steppes of Central Asia. This beautiful cat species faces extinction as human activity increasingly encroaches upon its habitat and drives away its prey.

This type of wild cat differs from domestic house cats in several ways. You can see in the picture above that they have round irises rather that elongated ones. Their small ears are also set low on their heads, and their legs are short.

The beautiful Pallas' cat has a wonderfully lush coat that is widely sought after. Prized for their fur and the medicinal value of its internal organs, Pallas' cats face threats to survival by hunters in both Russia and Mongolia.

Some people have tried making them, but Pallas' cats do not become domesticated easily. In captivity, however, they often live about eleven years. Scientists have recently started meeting together to try and solve the plight of the Pallas' cat. The first international meeting on the study and conservation of Pallas in the steppes of Northern Eurasia was held on September 13-15, 2016 in Novosibirsk, Russia. Hopefully, they will find a way to protect this gorgeous animal and allow it to thrive in the wild.

The Russian farmer who found the rare four kittens in his barn was very surprised to discover what they were. What would you have done? Some people may have tried to raise the kittens themselves. Do you think that would have been a good idea? Share this story with your friends and then have a discussion about how you can help prevent the extinction of the Pallas' cat or other endangered species. Then let us know what you think in the comments.