Stunned scientists discover new wild cat species after a century—see the photos
Biologists have officially identified the Leopardus tilcayo, commonly known as the tilcayo tiger cat, in the Yungas forests of Bolivia's central Andes Mountains. This finding marks the first living cat species described and named in more than a century. The tiny, slender feline features spotted fur and a ringed tail. Its scientific identification followed an unusual discovery in 2016 when a local family found a solitary cat on a road, initially mistaking the wild animal for a stray house kitten and feeding it rice and noodles for a year.
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- ✓ Biologists identified the Leopardus tilcayo, also called the tilcayo tiger cat, in Bolivia's Yungas forests in the central Andes Mountains.
- ✓ It is the first living cat species described and named in more than 100 years, following the 1923 description of the Uruguayan pampas cat.
- ✓ The feline features spotted fur, a ringed tail, and a slender body.
- ✓ The discovery began after a family found a cat alone on a road in 2016 and raised it for a year, mistaking it for a stray house kitten.
What changed
Scientists formally announced the discovery of the Leopardus tilcayo in September 2026 as the first new living cat species in over a century.
Live updates
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New Wild Cat Species Discovered in Bolivia
Biologists have officially identified the Leopardus tilcayo, commonly known as the tilcayo tiger cat, in the Yungas forests of Bolivia's central Andes Mountains. This finding marks the first living cat species described and named in more than a century. The tiny, slender feline features spotted fur and a ringed tail. Its scientific identification followed an unusual discovery in 2016 when a local family found a solitary cat on a road, initially mistaking the wild animal for a stray house kitten and feeding it rice and noodles for a year.
Why it matters
The formal description of the tilcayo tiger cat, published in Current Biology, stems from a DNA study that revised the taxonomy of tiger cats to recognize five distinct species where only one was previously assumed. Researchers spent years using camera traps and patience to study the seldom-seen animal in the cloud forest. Scientists state that identifying this new species will aid ongoing conservation efforts for high-altitude felines.
What is confirmed
- Biologists identified the Leopardus tilcayo, also called the tilcayo tiger cat, in Bolivia's Yungas forests in the central Andes Mountains.
- It is the first living cat species described and named in more than 100 years, following the 1923 description of the Uruguayan pampas cat.
- The feline features spotted fur, a ringed tail, and a slender body.
- The discovery began after a family found a cat alone on a road in 2016 and raised it for a year, mistaking it for a stray house kitten.
- A DNA study found five tiger cats where one was previously assumed.
- Scientists announced the discovery in September 2026.
Still unconfirmed
- Researchers refer to the animal as the ghost cat.
What to watch next
- Further field studies and camera trap data from the Bolivian sanctuary
- Additional conservation initiatives targeting the high-altitude cloud forest habitat
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (5)
- www.wionews.com — A first in 100 years: New cat species discovered in Bolivia ...
- a-z-animals.com — A Family Fed A ‘Stray Kitten’ Noodles And Rice For A Year. It ...
- sqpn.com — Meet the Tilcayo - sqpn.com
- www.heraldinsight.co.kr — The first new cat species discovered in more than 100 years
- www.yahoo.com — Researchers Call It the Ghost Cat, and It Took 3 Years of ...
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Scientists name Leopardus tilcayo as first new wild cat species in a century
Biologists have identified the Leopardus tilcayo, a small tiger cat from Bolivia's Yungas forests in the central Andes Mountains. Reported in Current Biology, it is the first living cat species described and named in over 100 years, following the 1923 description of the Uruguayan pampas cat. The feline features spotted fur, a ringed tail, and a slender body. Its identification began after a family found a cat alone on the road in 2016, which was initially mistaken for a stray kitten.
Why it matters
Evolutionary biologist Jonas Lescroart and colleagues discovered the species while analyzing the genetics of 38 Leopardus genus species to clarify the tiger cat family tree. This discovery is significant because these small tropical cats often look alike, making it difficult for scientists to determine how many distinct species exist.
What is confirmed
- Leopardus tilcayo is the first new living cat species described in more than 100 years.
- The species was discovered in the Yungas forests of Bolivia's central Andes Mountains.
- The last new living cat species described before the tilcayo was the Uruguayan pampas cat in 1923.
- The tilcayo has a slender body, spotted fur, and a ringed tail.
- A family in Bolivia first found the cat alone on the road in 2016.
- The discovery was reported in the journal Current Biology.
Still unconfirmed
- The tilcayo weighs roughly two kilograms.
- The discovery has led to hacking and pet-trade worries.
What to watch next
- Further genetic analysis of the Leopardus genus
- Conservation status assessments for the tilcayo population
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (13)
- weeklycuttingedge.com — Meet the newest living cat species, the first described in 100 years - Weekly Cutting Edge
- www.goodnet.org — Biologists Discover Tiny Wild Cat Species - GOODNET
- theticker.org — New tiger cat species found in Bolivia - The Ticker
- www.ksl.com — Have You Seen This? New cat species found in Bolivia
- www.nationalgeographic.com — What Happens When Your New Cat Species Goes Mega-Viral?
- dictionary.cambridge.org — STUNNED | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
- www.dictionary.com — STUNNED Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
- www.thesaurus.com — STUNNED Synonyms & Antonyms - 37 words | Thesaurus.com
- www.vocabulary.com — Stunned - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com
- dictionary.cambridge.org — STUNNED | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary
- en.wiktionary.org — stunned - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
- www.definitions.net — What does stunned mean? - Definitions.net
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Scientists Stunned by New Wild Cat Species in Bolivia
The Leopardus tilcayo, a small tiger cat species, has been discovered in Bolivia's Yungas cloud forests, marking the first identification of a living novel cat species in over 100 years. Weighing approximately 1.4 kilograms, it is lighter than most domestic cats. The discovery began with a Bolivian animal shelter's inquiry in 2016 about a cat mistaken for a lost kitten.
Why it matters
This discovery is significant as it marks a major breakthrough in global science, particularly in the field of zoology. The last recorded discovery of a new wild cat species was over a century ago. The identification of Leopardus tilcayo sheds new light on the biodiversity of Bolivia's Yungas region and raises questions about conservation efforts.
What is confirmed
- The new wild cat species is named Leopardus tilcayo.
- Leopardus tilcayo was found in Bolivia's Yungas cloud forests.
- The species weighs approximately 1.4 kilograms.
- The discovery of Leopardus tilcayo marks the first identification of a living novel cat species in over 100 years.
- The Leopardus tilcayo split from other tiger cats 1.43 million years ago.
What to watch next
- Conservation efforts for the Leopardus tilcayo species
- Further research on the habitat and behavior of Leopardus tilcayo
- Publication of additional details in scientific journals
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (6)
- Zamin.uz — New wild cat species discovered in Bolivia after a century
- www.ecoticias.com — A tiny spotted cat that a Bolivian man fed noodles, rice and ...
- uwpexponent.com — New Cat Species Discovered – Exponent
- scotscoop.com — Discovery of new feline species sparks debates over ...
- globalpost.com — Mistaken Identity - GlobalPost
- room232.substack.com — Mistaken for a stray: A small feline turns out to be the ...
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Scientists identify Tilcayo as first new wild cat species in over a century
Researchers have formally described the tilcayo (Leopardus tilcayo), a small tiger cat species found in Bolivia's Yungas cloud forests. This marks the first discovery of a living novel cat species in more than 100 years. The diminutive feline weighs approximately 1.4 kilograms, making it lighter than most domestic cats. The identification follows a process that began in 2016 after a Bolivian animal shelter contacted biologist Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz regarding a cat that a local resident had mistaken for a lost kitten.
Why it matters
The last new cat species formally named before the tilcayo was the pampas cat in 1923. This discovery is significant because genetic testing indicates the tilcayo's lineage split from other tiger cats, suggesting South American feline biodiversity is more complex than previously recorded.
What is confirmed
- The tilcayo (Leopardus tilcayo) is the first new living cat species discovered in more than 100 years.
- The species inhabits the Yungas cloud forests on the eastern slopes of the Andes in Bolivia.
- The tilcayo weighs 1.4 kilograms, or about 3 pounds.
- The discovery process began in 2016 when a Bolivian animal shelter contacted biologist Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz.
- The animal was initially brought to a wildlife sanctuary by a resident who mistook it for a lost kitten.
Still unconfirmed
- Genetics could eventually split South America's tiger cats into six or seven species.
- Researchers identified five distinct species of tiger cats throughout Central and South America on September 17.
What to watch next
- Further genetic research to determine if other tiger cat populations are distinct species.
- Formal publication of the evolutionary lineage split identified through genetic testing.
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (19)
- news.mongabay.com — How new is the first ‘new-to-science’ cat discovered in more than 100 years?
- www.envirolink.org — Meet the Tilcayo: First New Wild Cat Species Discovered in Over a Century - EnviroLink Network
- the-tartan.org — Scientists discover first new cat species in over a century ...
- news.northeastern.edu — How Did Scientists Find the First New Cat Species in 100 Years?
- www.envirolink.org — New Wild Cat Species Discovered in Bolivia — and Scientists ...
- Phys.org — This cat is new to science. What does it take to identify a species?
- www.foxweather.com — See it: Rare two-headed turtle hatchling found on Cape Cod
- cashwalklabs.io — Stunned scientists discover new wild cat species after a century-see the photos | Global Cashwalk
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com — In 2012, Pinzón Island began eradicating invasive rats; nine years later, scientists found 156 wild-born....
- www.natureworldnews.com — The Tilcayo May Not Be the Last New Wild Cat as Genetics ...
- www.thedailystar.net — New species of wild cat discovered | The Daily Star
- www.ideastream.org — Petting Zoo: New cat species discovered in Bolivia!
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Scientists Discover New Wild Cat Species in Bolivia
Researchers identified a brand-new wild cat species named the Tilcayo in Bolivia, marking the first time a new cat species has been described in more than a century. The tiny and adorable feline has stunned scientists, who published photos of the rare animal alongside reports of the discovery. Experts suggest that several more wild cat species may follow this finding as research in the region continues. The discovery highlights the ongoing biodiversity discoveries hidden within South American ecosystems.
Why it matters
Finding a new felid species is an exceptionally rare event in modern biology, as most large and medium-sized mammals have already been cataloged. This discovery in Bolivia adds a completely new branch to the feline family tree after a drought of over one hundred years without a new cat description. It draws fresh scientific attention to the rich wildlife and habitats of Latin America.
What is confirmed
- A new wild cat species named the Tilcayo has been discovered in Bolivia.
- This is the first brand-new cat species identified in more than a century.
Still unconfirmed
- Several more cat species may follow this recent discovery.
What to watch next
- Further taxonomic studies and published papers detailing the Tilcayo
- Additional wildlife expeditions in Bolivia and Latin America searching for related species
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (6)
- Smithsonian Magazine — Meet the Adorable and Tiny Tilcayo, the First Brand-New Cat Species Identified in More Than a Century
- Futura, le média qui explore le monde — Stunned scientists discover new wild cat species after a century—see the photos
- DVM360 — New species discovered in Bolivia is first cat described in more than 100 years
- AP News — Bolivia's new wild cat, arts protests and other top photos from Latin America and the Caribbean
- news - Mongabay — A new cat species was just discovered. Several more may follow
- Austin American-Statesman — Five wildcats have roamed Texas in living memory. Here's where they are now.
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