A field team of researchers has made an extraordinary — and surprisingly adorable — discovery: rare wild cats are living high on Mount Everest.

These elusive creatures, known as Pallas’s cats or manuls, went unnoticed on the world’s tallest mountain until 2019. Evidence now confirms that at least two of them inhabit Everest’s Southern Flank, marking a major breakthrough for scientists and conservationists — and bringing delight to animal lovers everywhere.

Pallas’s cats are roughly the size of domestic cats but look dramatically fluffier and rounder, thanks to their dense coat that helps them survive freezing alpine temperatures. Their short legs and thick fur make them appear like plush toys, though they are fierce, solitary hunters that definitely do not qualify as pets.

These wide-faced, big-eared felines look almost animated, as if they’ve stepped out of a storybook — quietly roaming rocky cliffs and crevices thousands of meters above sea level.

“It is phenomenal to discover proof of this rare and remarkable species at the top of the world,” said Dr. Tracie Seimon of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Zoological Health Program.

Scientists hope upcoming research will reveal how many Pallas’s cats call Everest home — and guide conservation efforts to ensure these enchanting little predators continue to thrive.