Scientists have formally identified Leopardus tilcayo, a previously unknown wild cat species, marking the first time a new living feline species has been described in over a century. The discovery was published Thursday in the journal Current Biology, based on genetic analysis of 38 wild cats, including museum specimens and living animals.
The new species, known locally as the tilcayo, inhabits Bolivia’s Yungas cloud forest, a mountainous region where humid forests are often shrouded in clouds. The cat measures approximately 18 inches (46 cm) in length and weighs around 3 pounds (1.4 kg), making it smaller than an average domestic cat. Its fur is light brown with irregularly shaped rosettes, and it has a small, scrunched-up face with rounded ears and long whiskers.
How the Discovery Unfolded
The path to scientific recognition began in 2017, when a male wild cat was brought to the Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary near La Paz. A local family had initially cared for the animal, believing it to be a domestic kitten, but later realized it was a wild animal. The cat’s unusual appearance prompted researchers to investigate its genetic makeup.
National Geographic Explorer Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz, who led the research, noted that the animal’s markings differed substantially from known tiger cats in neighboring regions. Genetic analysis comparing the cat’s DNA to 38 specimens—including museum samples—revealed it was a distinct species. The study formally recognized four other species within the tiger cat group and identified Leopardus tilcayo as a previously undescribed one.
Scientific and Conservation Implications
The discovery highlights the limited understanding of biodiversity in the Yungas cloud forest, one of the least-studied regions in the Neotropics. Researchers estimate the species’ full range remains unknown due to the challenges of identifying small, elusive cats through camera-trap surveys. Scat samples suggest the tilcayo may prey on small rodents, and camera-trap evidence indicates it is likely nocturnal.
Conservationists emphasize the need for further study to assess the species’ population size and threats. The Yungas forest faces habitat loss, and the tilcayo’s small size and cryptic nature make it particularly vulnerable to misidentification and declining populations.
What Comes Next
Scientists plan to expand field research to determine the species’ distribution and ecological needs. The discovery underscores the importance of genetic analysis in identifying cryptic species—those that are difficult to distinguish by appearance alone. The tilcayo’s recognition as a distinct species adds to the growing body of evidence that South America’s tiger cats represent multiple, previously unrecognized species.
For now, the only confirmed living individual of the species resides at the Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary, where it has been studied since its arrival in 2017. Researchers hope future expeditions will uncover more about this elusive feline and its role in the cloud forest ecosystem.