Leopardus tilcayo Identified as a New Wild Cat Species Native to Bolivia

On 17/09/2026, Leopardus tilcayo, a wild cat native to Bolivia, was reported as the first new feline species formally identified since 1923. The discovery drew attention to the diversity of small wild cats in South America, particularly within the genus Leopardus, which includes the ocelot, margay and several species of tiger cats. The announcement concerned the scientific recognition of a distinct feline species rather than the first observation of an entirely unknown animal in the wild. Researchers led by Bolivian biologist Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz examined genetic data from 38 tiger cats across South America and identified five distinct species. The tilcayo measures approximately 46 centimetres in body length and weighs about 1.4 kilograms. Its light-brown coat features irregular dark rosettes. One known individual lives at Bolivia's Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary. Genetic evidence suggests the species diverged from related cats approximately 1.4 million years ago. The findings were published in Current Biology. Scientific Significance: The discovery demonstrates that genetically distinct mammals can remain unrecognized even within well-studied animal families. It also provides a basis for assessing the tilcayo's conservation needs in Bolivia's threatened Yungas forests.