Notes on the carnivores of Central Polissia: a wild cat and a melanistic wolf in Zhytomyr Oblast

New data on carnivorans of Central Polissia, in particular on the distribution of the wild cat (Felis silvestris) and the variability of the wolf’s (Canis lupus) colouration are presented. Findings of wild cats on the lands of the Korostyshiv Hunting Club (KHC, 20–40 km east–south-east of Zhytomyr) in 2018–2019 are described, including one registration confirmed by the discovery of a dead animal, from which a skin-mount was prepared for the regional museum of local lore (RML), as well as several direct observations. Another registration was made on 13.10.2023 on a video from a thermal imaging camera in the Olevsk Raion, near the state border. The melanistic wolf was captured by hunters on 03.12.2018 in the mentioned areas. Its skin-mount was transferred to the KHC, and the skull and os penis are stored in the RML. The list of vertebrate species with melanism and a detailed description of the features of the melanistic wolf are given.