Cat specialist Jim Sanderson and a group of Tibetan assistants set the camera trap near the remote village of Rongrah after hearing reports of sighting by locals.

Amid photos of badgers and marmots, Sanderson's team eventually secured eight pictures of one of the world's least known felines, a feat he calls a reward for four years of effort.

"If there's one thing the cats have taught me," he said, "it's patience."

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