"Study Reveals Alarming Inbreeding Rates in Adorable Wildcat Species"

A study has found that black-footed cats, the smallest species of felid in Africa, are inbreeding at alarming rates due to habitat fragmentation, putting them at risk of a rare, deadly disease called amyloidosis. The researchers identified genetic markers of recent inbreeding events and linked this to a heightened risk of developing amyloidosis, which causes a protein build-up in organs and can be fatal. The study highlights the need for more research and conservation efforts to address the risks faced by small feline species like the black-footed cat.