A new cat species, Leopardus tilcayo, has been discovered in Bolivia, marking the first wild cat identification in over a century. An unusual small feline, found at a wildlife sanctuary, was analyzed by Bolivian biologist Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz and a team that included DNA samples from over 30 cats across South America. The cat, smaller than an average house cat with a leopard-like spotted coat, was recognized as a unique lineage separate from other species 1.4 million years ago.
The name tilcayo comes from local communities, highlighting that although wildlife was known to locals, it had not been formally recognized by science. Researchers now aim to learn more about this species’ diet, behavior, and habitat in order to help protect it from threats like deforestation and gold mining. The findings emphasize the hidden biodiversity still present in well-studied groups like the cat family.
