Meet Earth’s newest wild cat species, living in Bolivia and the first named in over a century

Live updates

1. 11d ago

   Bolivia's new wild cat species sparks conservation efforts

   The Leopardus tilcayo, or tilcayo tiger cat, a small wild cat species weighing 1.5-2 kilograms, was officially described on September 17, 2026, in Bolivia's Yungas forests. The species, first identified in over a century, has drawn tourists to a wildlife sanctuary near La Paz. However, it faces immediate threats from gold mining driven by economic crisis and high gold prices.

   Why it matters

   The discovery of the Leopardus tilcayo highlights the importance of conservation efforts in Bolivia's Yungas forests. The species' identification was confirmed through genetic testing published in Current Biology. The global interest in the species has sparked donations, but the cat's survival is threatened by gold mining activities.

   What is confirmed

   • The Leopardus tilcayo was officially described on September 17, 2026.
   • The species weighs between 1.5 and 2 kilograms.
   • The cat is smaller than a typical house cat.
   • The species was identified through genetic testing published in Current Biology.
   • The Leopardus tilcayo has spots all over and is slender.

   What to watch next

   • Conservation efforts in Bolivia's Yungas forests
   • Impact of gold mining on the Leopardus tilcayo population
   • Further research on the species' habitat and behavior
   Sources used for this update (6)

   1. edu.google.com — Google Meet - Google for Education
   2. www.wfmz.com — Tiny wild cat newly identified as a species draws curious ...
   3. www.wionews.com — A first in 100 years: New cat species discovered in Bolivia ...
   4. www.guinnessworldrecords.com — Mystery kitten grows up and reveals itself to be a whole new ...
   5. www.chch.com — New cat species discovered for the first time in over a ...
   6. workspace.google.com — AI for Meetings & Video Conferencing | Google Workspace
   confidence 90%
2. 17d ago

   Bolivian tilcayo wild cat identified as first new species in a century

   Scientists officially described Leopardus tilcayo, a small wild cat from Bolivia's Yungas forests, on September 17, 2026. Genetic testing published in Current Biology confirmed the species, which is the first living cat described since the 1923 identification of the Pampas cat. The feline weighs between 1.5 and 2 kilograms and is smaller than a typical house cat. While the discovery has sparked global interest and donations, the species faces immediate threats from gold mining in the La Paz region driven by economic crisis and high gold prices.

   Why it matters

   The tilcayo was known to local populations before scientific confirmation. Its identification highlights the gap in biological records, as some scientists claim only 14 percent of land wildlife has been described.

   What is confirmed

   • The species Leopardus tilcayo was officially announced in the journal Current Biology on September 17, 2026.
   • The tilcayo is the first living cat species described in a century since the Pampas cat in 1923.
   • The cat weighs 1.5 to 2 kilograms and measures 42.5 to 50 cm long with a 25 to 26.5 cm tail.
   • The animal is native to Bolivia's Yungas forests.
   • A Bolivian family fed a specimen they believed was a stray housecat noodles and rice for one year.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The discovery has led to concerns regarding hacking and the illegal pet trade.
   • Mining in the La Paz region is encroaching on the tilcayo's habitat.

   What to watch next

   • Official conservation status designations for the species.
   • Reports on the extent of habitat loss due to mining in La Paz.
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. a-z-animals.com — A Family Fed A ‘Stray Kitten’ Noodles And Rice For A Year. It ...
   2. phsthequill.edublogs.org — New Discoveries: The Newly Discovered Cat Species
   3. postize.com — Tilcayo Fever: How Bolivia's Newly Confirmed Wild Cat Brought ...
   4. usmfreepress.org — New feline species discovered in Bolivia – The Free Press
   5. english.elpais.com — Gold fever closes in on the habitat of the tilcayo, Bolivia’s newly discovered wild cat
   confidence 90%
3. 19d ago

   No New Corroborated Updates on Leopardus tilcayo

   There are no new corroborated developments regarding the newly described wild cat species, Leopardus tilcayo, native to Bolivia. Previous reporting established that researchers used DNA analysis published in Current Biology on September 17, 2026, to officially identify the tiny feline, which weighs roughly three pounds and measures about 18 inches long. The animal was initially mistaken for a stray domestic cat before arriving at the Senda Verde wildlife sanctuary. Current incoming feeds contain only unrelated software application support documents and product pages, leaving the status of the wild cat unchanged from prior updates.

   Why it matters

   The formal description of Leopardus tilcayo marks the first new feline species identified in over a century. Researchers distinguished the tiny cat from related tiger cats, ocelots, and margays through genetic analysis. Ongoing tracking of the species relies on further scientific publications and sanctuary reports from Bolivia's Yungas cloud forests.

   What is confirmed

   • Researchers completed a DNA analysis published in Current Biology on September 17, 2026, distinguishing Leopardus tilcayo from related tiger cats, ocelots, and margays.

   What to watch next

   • Additional research publications regarding the habitat and population status of Leopardus tilcayo in Bolivia's Yungas cloud forests.
   • Further updates from the Senda Verde wildlife sanctuary concerning the individual cat's care.
   Sources used for this update (7)

   1. workspace.google.com — Google Meet: Online Web and Video Conferencing Calls | Google...
   2. play.google.com — Google Meet - Apps on Google Play
   3. support.google.com — Download the Google Meet app - Computer - Google Meet Help
   4. accounts.google.com — Sign in - Google Accounts
   5. workspace.google.com — Secure Video Conferencing for Business with Google Meet | Google...
   6. support.google.com — Join a meeting - Computer - Google Meet Help
   7. apps.apple.com — ‎Google Meet App - App Store
   confidence 50%
4. 22d ago

   Scientists Discover New Wild Cat Species in Bolivia

   Scientists have formally described the Leopardus tilcayo, a small spotted wild cat native to Bolivia's Yungas cloud forests, marking the first new feline species identified in over a century. Weighing roughly three pounds and measuring about 18 inches long, the animal was initially mistaken for a stray domestic cat and kept as a pet before arriving at the Senda Verde wildlife sanctuary. Researchers completed a DNA analysis published in Current Biology on September 17, 2026, distinguishing the tiny feline from related tiger cats, ocelots, and margays.

   Why it matters

   The newly classified cat genus Leopardus includes small, elusive cats whose nocturnal habits and remote habitats have historically complicated classification efforts. The discovery highlights the ecological richness of mountain cloud forests where the Andes Mountains meet the Amazon basin, indicating that isolated ecosystems continue to harbor unknown mammalian lineages. Previous assumptions grouped these distinct populations into broader classifications until genetic testing revealed millions of years of evolutionary divergence.

   What is confirmed

   • Scientists have described the Leopardus tilcayo as a new species of wild cat in Bolivia's Yungas cloud forests, representing the first living member of the cat family to be named in over a century.
   • A DNA analysis confirming the discovery was published in Current Biology on September 17, 2026.
   • The animal measures about 18 inches long and weighs around three pounds, making it smaller than a typical house cat.
   • A specimen used for the description was originally brought to the Senda Verde wildlife sanctuary after being kept by a family.

   Still unconfirmed

   • A Bolivian man fed the young cat noodles, rice, and other foods after finding it alone on a road in 2016.

   What to watch next

   • Further field studies in the Yungas cloud forests to determine the population size and distribution of the Leopardus tilcayo.
   • Potential updates from the International Union for Conservation of Nature regarding the conservation status of the newly defined species.
   Sources used for this update (12)

   1. www.thedailystar.net — New species of wild cat discovered | The Daily Star
   2. timesofindia.indiatimes.com — A tiny cat in Bolivia is changing what scientists know about ...
   3. www.nicholsonstudentmedia.com — New wild cat species discovered in Bolivia |
   4. www.ecoticias.com — A tiny spotted cat that a Bolivian man fed noodles, rice and ...
   5. uwpexponent.com — New Cat Species Discovered – Exponent
   6. globalpost.com — Mistaken Identity - GlobalPost
   7. www.thetrumpet.com — Newly Discovered Cat Species Highlights Earth's Natural ...
   8. www.goodnet.org — Biologists Discover Tiny Wild Cat Species - GOODNET
   9. theticker.org — New tiger cat species found in Bolivia - The Ticker
   10. www.farmersforum.ie — New Feline Species Identified for the First Time in Over a ...
   11. www.youtube.com — Science short. The Hidden Cat: Leopardus tilcayo - YouTube
   12. www.vistazo.com — Creyó que era una cría de gato y la alimentó: descubrió que ...
   confidence 100%
5. 31d ago

   Bolivian Tilcayo identified as first new wild cat species in over a century

   Scientists have formally described the Leopardus tilcayo, a small spotted wild cat from Bolivia's Yungas cloud forests, as the first new feline species discovered since the pampas cat in 1923. The animal, which weighs approximately 1.4 kilograms or three pounds, was previously mistaken for a known species. A specimen used for the description was originally kept as a pet by a family before being moved to a wildlife sanctuary. The formal description was published in Current Biology on 17 September 2026.

   Why it matters

   The tilcayo is a type of tiger cat living on the eastern slope of the Andes Mountains. This discovery marks the first formal naming of a new cat species in over 100 years. Genetic research suggests other South American tiger cats may eventually be split into six or seven distinct species.

   What is confirmed

   • The Leopardus tilcayo is the first new wild cat species discovered since the pampas cat in 1923.
   • The tilcayo lives in the Yungas forest ecoregion of Bolivia on the eastern slope of the Andes Mountains.
   • The species weighs approximately 1.4 kilograms or three pounds.
   • The formal description of the species appeared in Current Biology on 17 September 2026.
   • The animal is smaller than most house cats.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The tilcayo measures roughly 18 inches from head to the base of the tail.
   • Genetics could split South America's tiger cats into six or seven species.

   What to watch next

   • Further genetic analysis of other South American tiger cat populations
   • Additional field sightings of the Leopardus tilcayo in the Yungas cloud forests
   Sources used for this update (12)

   1. jen.jiji.com — "Kim Jong Un weighs over 140 kilos": South Korean intelligence's alarm over his health
   2. jen.jiji.com — Renato Zero celebrates his birthday, announces a new project: "I gave myself another pearl"
   3. www.natureworldnews.com — The Tilcayo May Not Be the Last New Wild Cat as Genetics ...
   4. www.ideastream.org — Petting Zoo: New cat species discovered in Bolivia!
   5. thestudentnews.co.uk — New cat species discovered for first time in a century
   6. thestute.com — The tilcayo: the first new cat species discovered in 100 years
   7. torontolatinos.com — Bolivia Just Gave the World a New Wild Cat — the First in ...
   8. www.indulgexpress.com — Tilcayo and 7 rare wild cats you’ve likely never heard of
   9. morningoverview.com — A pet cat in a Bolivian sanctuary turned out to be a species ...
   10. Scroll.in — Tilcayo: Bolivia’s new tiger cat is first to be discovered in ...
   11. www.sciencing.com — Scientists Just Discovered The First New Cat Species In Over 100 Years
   12. Zamin.uz — New wild cat species discovered in Bolivia after a century
   confidence 95%
6. 37d ago

   Tilkayo, a new wild cat species, discovered in Bolivia's Yungas cloud forests

   The tilkayo, a small spotted wild cat, has been identified as a new species in Bolivia's Yungas cloud forests. It is the first new living wild cat species discovered in over a century. The tilkayo weighs about 1.4 kilograms, is smaller than a house cat, and has rounded ears and a slender body. It was named using the local term already in use for it.

   Why it matters

   This discovery marks a significant addition to the feline family tree. The tilkayo's identification is crucial for conservation efforts, as experts suggest it may require stronger protection. The species was discovered in the misty cloud forests of Bolivia's Yungas region.

   What is confirmed

   • The tilkayo (Leopardus tilcayo) is a new wild cat species discovered in Bolivia's Yungas cloud forests.
   • It is the first new living wild cat species identified in over a century.
   • The tilkayo weighs about 1.4 kilograms (or 3 pounds).
   • It is smaller than a typical house cat.
   • The species has been named using the local term 'tilcayo'.

   What to watch next

   • Conservation efforts for the tilkayo
   • Further research on the species' evolutionary lineage
   • Updates on the species' population and habitat
   Sources used for this update (8)

   1. www.sciencenews.org — Meet the newest living cat species, the first described in 100 years
   2. www.envirolink.org — Meet the Tilcayo: First New Wild Cat Species Discovered in Over a Century - EnviroLink Network
   3. www.natureworldnews.com — The First New Wild Cat Species in More Than a Century May Need Stronger Protection, a Conservation Expert....
   4. www.dvm360.com — New species discovered in Bolivia is first cat described in ...
   5. jen.jiji.com — Real Madrid rejoins Efc, it's the end of the Super League project
   6. www.optimistdaily.com — The tilcayo: new wildcat species discovered in Bolivia’s ...
   7. www.envirolink.org — New Wild Cat Species Discovered in Bolivia — and Scientists ...
   8. Phys.org — This cat is new to science. What does it take to identify a species?
   confidence 100%
7. 40d ago

   New Wild Cat Species Discovered in Bolivia

   Scientists have identified a newly described tiger cat species known as the tilcayo, scientifically named Leopardus tilcayo. Hailing from Bolivia's Yungas cloud forests, this small spotted feline represents the first discovery of a living novel wild cat species in more than a century. The animal is smaller than a house cat and takes its species name from the local term already used for it. One specimen spent years residing at a Bolivian wildlife sanctuary before its formal classification, and the species has since become a tourist attraction.

   Why it matters

   The identification of Leopardus tilcayo marks a major milestone in feline taxonomy as the first new wild cat species named in over a hundred years. Researchers found the small spotted cat hiding in plain sight at a sanctuary alongside its presence in regional cloud forests. This development highlights the ongoing discovery of hidden biodiversity in South American ecosystems.

   What is confirmed

   • Scientists identified the tilcayo (Leopardus tilcayo) as a new tiger cat species in Bolivia.
   • It is the first new wild cat species named in over a century.
   • The animal is smaller than a house cat.
   • The species originates from Bolivia's Yungas cloud forests and derives its name from local usage.

   What to watch next

   • Further field studies on the population distribution of Leopardus tilcayo in Bolivia
   • Additional conservation measures for the newly classified tiger cat species
   Sources used for this update (3)

   1. www.foxsports.com — 2026 MLB Playoff Picture, Standings: Wild Card Races Heat Up As September Begins
   2. www.earth.com — For the first time in 100 years, scientists have identified a new cat species living in a South American forest
   3. news.mongabay.com — How new is the first ‘new-to-science’ cat discovered in more than 100 years?
   confidence 100%
8. 45d ago

   Scientists Identify New Wild Cat Species in Bolivia

   Researchers have identified the Tilcayo leopard (Leopardus tilcayo), the first new cat species named in over a century. This small, spotted feline was discovered in the cloud forests of Bolivia. One specimen had lived for years at a Bolivian wildlife sanctuary, effectively hiding in plain sight before its classification. The animal is described as appearing like a leopard but is smaller than a typical house cat. The discovery has recently turned the animal into a tourist attraction for visitors hoping to see the species.

   Why it matters

   The identification of a new feline species is rare, marking the first such occurrence in more than 100 years. This find highlights the biodiversity of Bolivian cloud forests and the possibility of other unknown species existing in protected areas.

   What is confirmed

   • The Tilcayo leopard is the first new cat species discovered in over a century.
   • The new species was identified in Bolivia.
   • The cat is a spotted wildcat.
   • The species is named Leopardus tilcayo.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The animal is smaller than a house cat.
   • The cat was previously living at a wildlife sanctuary for years.
   • The species is drawing tourists in Bolivia.

   What to watch next

   • Publication of peer-reviewed genetic data confirming the species lineage
   • Population surveys to determine the total number of Tilcayo leopards in the wild
   Sources used for this update (18)

   1. National Geographic — Meet the First New Cat Species Discovered in 100 Years
   2. Scientific American — See the first new species of cat discovered in more than a century—it’s adorable
   3. BBC — Spotted wildcat from Bolivian forest revealed as new species
   4. Al Jazeera — New tiger cat species identified in Bolivia, first in over a century
   5. The New York Times — New Species of Cat Discovered for First Time in a Century
   6. AP News — Meet Earth’s newest wild cat species, the first named in over a century
   7. FOX Weather — New wild cat species discovered after hiding in plain sight for more than a century
   8. PBS — Meet Earth’s newest wild cat species, living in Bolivia and the first named in over a century
   9. Sci.News — New Species of Tiger Cat Identified in Bolivia
   10. KXAN Austin — New cat species identified for first time in 100 years
   11. EarthSky — Scientists discover a new tiger cat hiding in plain sight
   12. Yahoo — The Bolivian Tilcayo leopard is the first new species of cat to be discovered in over a century
   confidence 90%