New wild cat species discovered in Bolivia

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Scientists have identified a new species of wild cat in Bolivia’s Yungas cloud forest, marking the first time a living wild cat species has been formally described in more than a century.

The small, spotted feline is called the tilcayo cat, or Leopardus tilcayo — a name that reflects what local communities have called the animal. Researchers detailed the discovery this week in the journal Current Biology.

The tilcayo cat is part of the tiger cat group found across South America. Researchers say it is smaller than an average domestic cat, measuring about 18 inches long and weighing around 3 pounds.

It has light-brown fur with irregular rosette-like markings and a long, slender tail. Its known habitat is Bolivia’s mountainous, humid Yungas forest, where the Andes meet the Amazon region.

Scientists confirmed the animal was a separate species by comparing complete genetic information from 38 cats across the Leopardus genus, including DNA from museum specimens.

The analysis found the tilcayo lineage split from related tiger cats about 1.4 million years ago. The broader research also concluded that cats once grouped together as tiger cats actually represent at least five genetically distinct species.

One of the animals studied lives at Bolivia’s Senda Verde wildlife sanctuary after a local family had kept it as a pet. Researchers say little is known about the species’ population, diet, behavior, or full geographic range, and they are using camera traps to search for additional cats in the wild.