Rare New Wild Cat Species Discovered in Bolivia After Over a Century

A new species of wild cat, named *Leopardus tilcayo* and commonly known as the tilcayo cat, has been formally identified in Bolivia's Yungas cloud forest, marking the first discovery of a living feline species in over a century. This small, spotted cat is native to the humid, mountainous region where the Andes mountains converge with the Amazon basin. Researchers note the tilcayo cat is smaller than an average domestic cat, measuring approximately 18 inches long and weighing around three pounds, distinguished by its light brown fur and irregularly shaped rosettes.

The discovery originated from a male cat brought to the Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary in Bolivia between 2016 and 2017 after a local family, who had initially mistaken it for a domestic pet, relinquished it. Biologist Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz led the research, which involved genetic analysis of this individual and other tiger cat specimens, confirming it as a distinct species. The study, published in *Current Biology* on September 17, 2026, also revealed that what was previously considered a single "tiger cat" group actually comprises five genetically distinct species.

Currently, limited information is available regarding the tilcayo cat's wild population, behavior, or lifestyle, making it challenging to assess its conservation status. Scientists are utilizing camera traps in the Yungas forests to gather more data on the species in its natural habitat, which will be crucial for informing future conservation efforts.