Elusive, endangered predator spotted on trail camera in Chile, photos show
An elusive and endangered predator was recently spotted in Chile, delighting conservation officials.
The creature — known as a Darwin's fox — was recorded by a camera trap in the Cutipay Wetland Nature Sanctuary, about 500 miles south of Santiago, according to a May 22 news release from the Ministry of Environment.
While reviewing footage from the camera in April, officials noticed three images, dated to Dec. 30, that showed a dark-colored animal trudging through the undergrowth.
After officials consulted with experts, it was confirmed to be a Darwin's fox, described as a one-of-a-kind and notoriously hard to spot inhabitant of the South American nation.
Iconic and elusive species
Distinguished by its dark fur, pointed ears and solitary behavior, the animal has intrigued scientists for generations.
The vulpine creature was first described by Charles Darwin in 1834 on Chile's Chiloé Island. According to his notes, he noticed a fox sitting on rocks near the shore, observing nearby officers.
'I was able, by quietly walking up behind, to knock him on the head with my geological hammer,' the famous naturalist wrote, according to The Lancet. The specimen was later displayed in a museum.
But, in the decades that followed, the animal was believed to be a subspecies of the South American gray fox. It wasn't until 1996 — after biologists studied its DNA — that Darwin's fox was determined to be its own distinct species, according to The New York Times.
Nowadays, it is classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
And, the vast majority of the species' population is believed to live on Chiloé, where Darwin encountered his specimen. The populations on the mainland are significantly smaller and more dispersed.
But, the recent sighting in Cutipay — a poorly studied region — expands the species' territory. In fact, the area could play a pivotal role in connecting various populations and facilitating the species' movement, officials said.
Environment Minister Maisa Rojas applauded the discovery, saying it shows the importance of conservation policies.
That said, the recent images of the fox also bring to light new threats that the species could face in the area.
The primary threat is the existence of domestic dogs, which could attack the endangered foxes and potentially transmit diseases. Invasive animals — such as mink — as well as deforestation, forest fires and unregulated construction could also negatively impact the species.
With this in mind, Alberto Tacon, a regional environmental official, emphasized the need to protect the forests in Cutipay and the animals that inhabit them.
Google Translate was used to translate a news release from the Chilean Ministry of Environment.
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Oral amycretin phase 1 data on the safety, tolerability and weight loss potential in people with overweight or obesity was also published in The Lancet. 3 Findings from the clinical trials indicate amycretin appeared tolerable with a safety profile consistent with other GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonists.1,2,3 Bagsværd, Denmark, 20 June 2025 – Novo Nordisk announces subcutaneous amycretin data being presented at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 85 th Scientific Sessions in Chicago, US.1 Full results of two clinical trials evaluating the safety, tolerability and weight loss potential of subcutaneous and oral amycretin in people with overweight or obesity were published today in The Lancet medical journal.1,3 Amycretin is the first treatment that combines GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonism biology in a single molecule. 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Once-weekly subcutaneous amycretin treatment escalated up to 60 mg appeared tolerable with a safety profile consistent with other GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonists.1,2 The number of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) increased in a dose-dependent manner, were mostly gastrointestinal, and were comparable to the rate and profile of TEAEs reported in early-phase studies of GLP-1 receptor, GLP-1 receptor/gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) receptor, and amylin receptor agonists.1,2 The majority of TEAEs were mild to moderate in severity and resolved by the end of the study period.1,2 Of the participants who discontinued the trial, the majority were due to non-TEAE reasons.1,2 'As pioneers in obesity innovation, we are exploring multiple biological pathways to develop potentially transformative medicines that support the individual needs and preferences of people with obesity on their weight loss journey towards overall improved health,' said Martin Holst Lange, executive vice president for Development at Novo Nordisk . 'Amycretin is the first investigational treatment that combines GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonism biology in one molecule, working on distinct pathways and offering complementary effects on appetite control. The findings published and presented today are encouraging. We are excited to advance the clinical development of subcutaneous and oral amycretin into phase 3 to assess its potential as a therapeutic option for weight management.' The published once-daily oral amycretin phase 1 clinical trial data showed that participants receiving amycretin achieved greater weight loss compared to placebo.3 After 12 weeks of treatment with amycretin up to 50 mg and up to 2 times 50 mg, participants achieved a mean change in body weight of -10.4% and -13.1% respectively, compared to -1.2% with placebo.3 There were no apparent signs of weight loss plateauing within the 12 weeks of treatment in either of these amycretin-treated groups.3 Once-daily oral amycretin appeared to have an acceptable safety profile and was tolerable in all tested doses, with TEAEs in line with what was expected from targeting GLP-1 and amylin receptors.3 All reported TEAEs occurred in a dose-proportional manner, were mild to moderate in severity, and mostly gastrointestinal. No new safety signals appeared during the study.3 Based on the findings from the oral and subcutaneous amycretin trials, Novo Nordisk recently announced it will advance amycretin into phase 3 trials to further investigate the treatment as a potential new therapeutic option for weight management.4 About amycretin Amycretin is a unimolecular long-acting GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonist under development by Novo Nordisk, to provide an efficacious and convenient treatment for adults with overweight or obesity and for adults with type 2 diabetes. Amycretin is developed for subcutaneous and oral administration. Oral amycretin Phase 1 trial – The trial evaluated the single-ascending dose and multiple ascending doses for oral amycretin, up to 2 times 50 mg, in 144 people with overweight or obesity, with a total treatment duration of up to 12 weeks. Subcutaneous amycretin Phase 1b/2a trial – The trial investigated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and proof-of-concept of once-weekly subcutaneous amycretin in 125 people with overweight or obesity. The trial was a combined single ascending dose, multiple ascending dose and dose-response trial investigating three different maintenance doses with a total treatment duration of up to 36 weeks. About Novo Nordisk Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark. Our purpose is to drive change to defeat serious chronic diseases built upon our heritage in diabetes. We do so by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to our medicines, and working to prevent and ultimately cure disease. Novo Nordisk employs about 77,400 people in 80 countries and markets its products in around 170 countries. For more information, visit , Facebook , Instagram , X , LinkedIn and YouTube . Contacts for further information _______________________ References The Lancet: Dahl K, Toubro, S, Dey S, et al. Amycretin, a novel, unimolecular GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonist administered subcutaneously: Results of a randomised, controlled, phase 1b/2a study. Dahl, K, et al. (2025). Amycretin, a Novel, Unimolecular GLP-1 and Amylin Receptor Agonist: Results of a Phase 1b/2a Clinical Trial. Poster 2002-LB. American Diabetes Association (ADA) 85th Scientific Sessions, Chicago, US, June 20 – 23, 2025. The Lancet: Gasiorek A, Heydorn A, Gabery S, et al. Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of the first-in-class GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonist, amycretin: a first-in-human, phase 1, randomised, placebo-controlled study. Novo Nordisk Company Announcement. Novo Nordisk to advance subcutaneous and oral amycretin for weight management into phase 3 clinical development. Available at: Attachment Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash GlobeNewswire provides press release distribution services globally, with substantial operations in North America and Europe.
