Researchers have identified a previously unknown species of small wild cat inhabiting the forests of Bolivia. The feline, formally designated Leopardus tilcayo and colloquially known as the Tilcaya cat, was confirmed through genetic analysis after being confused with other spotted wild cats in the region.
The discovery originated when a Bolivian scientist noticed an unusual spotted cat at a rescue sanctuary. The animal, a 10-year-old individual nicknamed ‘Tigrino’, had been found in the forest and initially mistaken for a domestic kitten before its wild nature became apparent. Researchers subsequently learned of additional sightings in Bolivia’s Yungas region, prompting investigation.
An international team of scientists conducted DNA analysis of living animals and museum specimens to trace the evolutionary relationships among tiger cats—a group of small wild felines distributed across Central and South America. The research, published in Current Biology, revealed that tiger cat diversity exceeds previous estimates, with five species now recognized rather than the previously accepted three. The findings expand the total number of recognized cat species globally from 41 to at least 44.
Currently, only one confirmed living member of the new species is known, residing in a Bolivian rescue sanctuary. However, scientists believe additional individuals exist in undiscovered or unstudied populations. Experts note that the species remained undetected due to its remote habitat and the visual similarity it shares with other tiger cat species, compounded by scarcity of museum specimens for comparative study.
Conservation specialists emphasize that formal species identification is essential for protection efforts. Tiger cats face threats from deforestation, habitat loss, and illegal hunting. The newly recognized species notably was absent from prior conservation assessments, indicating that comprehensive biodiversity surveys remain incomplete in certain regions of South America.
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