Crossword Genius

Took a pistol, cornering wild mammals (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

okapis

'wild mammals' is the definition.
(type of mammal)

'took a pistol cornering' is the wordplay.
'cornering' indicates a hidden word (the answer is trapped or cornered by the clue).
'OKAPIS' is hidden within 'took a pistol'.

(Other definitions for okapis that I've seen before include "Giraffe-like creatures" , "Relatives of the giraffe" , "They're similar to the giraffes but smaller" , "Giraffe-like animals with shorter necks" , "African mammals" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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