New wild cat species ‘Tilcayo’ identified in Bolivia, first in over a century

La Paz: A diminutive wild cat inhabiting Bolivia’s cloud forest has been identified as a previously unknown species, marking the first time a new living cat species has been formally named and described in more than a century.

The cat, called Tilcayo by local communities, is part of a group called tiger cats found across much of South America.

The discovery was made in Bolivia’s lush Yungas forest, a mountainous region where forests are often covered by clouds and surrounded by high humidity. The research was led by National Geographic Explorer Paola Nogales Ascarrunz.

Measuring about 18 inches (46 cm) long and weighing around 3 pounds (1.4 kg), the Leopardus tilcayo is smaller than the average domestic cat.

Genetic analysis suggested that the Tilcayo lineage separated from other tiger cats about 1.4 million years ago. Little is yet known about its biology and lifestyle.

The cat was photographed walking at the Senda Verde animal refuge in the Yungas region.