New wild cat species identified in Bolivia's Yungas region
Researchers have described a previously unknown small wild cat, Leopardus tilcayo, in Bolivia, marking the first new feline species discovery in over a century.
Scientists have formally described a new wild cat species, Leopardus tilcayo, from Bolivia's mountainous Yungas region near La Paz. The animal, dubbed the "Tilcayo tiger cat" because of its spotted, leopard-like coat, measures about 18 inches and has rounded ears, making it slightly smaller than a domestic cat. Local residents initially thought the feline was an ordinary house cat, but biologist Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz, a National Geographic explorer who participated in the study, confirmed its distinct status.
The discovery, published in the journal Current Biology, follows research that began in 2021 and represents the first new wild cat species described since the Uruguayan pampas cat in 1923. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on the two known individuals, a male now housed in a Yungas animal shelter and a female that was released after being rescued.
"So far, it's only been detected in Bolivia and not anywhere else on the planet," Nogales-Ascarrunz said.
The researchers classified the species as vulnerable to extinction, noting that its limited known population could soon place it at a higher risk of disappearance.
The finding adds to the understanding of biodiversity in the Andes and underscores the need for continued conservation efforts in the region.