Scientists have identified a previously unrecognised species of wild cat in Bolivia, marking what researchers describe as the first discovery of a new cat species in nearly 100 years.
Named Leopardus tilcayo, or the Tilcayo tiger cat, the small feline was found in Bolivia’s Yungas region, where the Andes meet the Amazon basin.
The cat has a slender body, rounded ears and distinctive leopard-like spots and stripes. Its appearance had previously led researchers to confuse it with other species of small wild cats.
Details of the discovery were published on Thursday in the journal Current Biology. Researchers analysed DNA from both living animals and museum specimens to establish that the feline represents a distinct species.
The number of Tilcayo tiger cats living in the wild remains unknown. Researchers have so far confirmed only one living individual of the species, which is being kept at a rescue centre in Bolivia. They believe, however, that additional animals may still exist in the wild.
Researcher Paola Nogales-Ascarunus said the discovery was particularly significant because new species are often small organisms, while the identification of a new wild cat is an exceptionally rare event.
Scientists hope the discovery will strengthen conservation efforts for small wild cats across Central and South America. They noted that identifying a species is an essential first step toward protecting it from threats in the wild.
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