A small wild cat found in the cloud forests of Bolivia has been recognized as a newly discovered species, marking the first formal naming of a living cat species in over a hundred years. Known locally as Tilcayo, this cat belongs to a group of tiger cats present in various parts of South America. It was located in Bolivia’s Yungas forest, characterized by its mountainous terrain shrouded in clouds and high humidity. Researchers determined that the cat, measuring approximately 46 centimeters in length and weighing around three pounds, is smaller than an average domestic cat.

Genetic analysis confirmed the cat as a novel species and it was designated the scientific name Leopardus tilcayo while retaining its local title. Described by Paola Nogales Ascarrunz, a National Geographic explorer and study author, the cat’s fur is light brown with irregular rosettes on its body. Limited information is available about the cat’s behavior and diet, with indications from scat samples suggesting a preference for small rodents and camera-trap footage hinting at nocturnal activity.

Tiger cats, classified as cryptic species, are challenging to differentiate based on appearance alone, according to evolutionary biologist Jonas Lescroart, a co-lead author of the study. Formerly considered a single species, genetic studies from decades ago hinted at the existence of multiple species. The discovery of the new Bolivian species and a subspecies in Peru’s Yungas region revealed five genetically distinct tiger cat species.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s red list currently lists tiger cats as two “vulnerable” species with declining populations. Researchers anticipate that assessing the five lineages separately could lead to a more accurate understanding of their conservation status, potentially resulting in the classification of species like Tilcayo as endangered. In the face of threats such as deforestation, fires, and mining in the Yungas, conservation efforts are crucial to safeguard these newly identified feline species and their habitats.

The study’s senior author, Eduardo Eizirik, emphasized the importance of recognizing undiscovered species and the need to protect them from extinction in a world where many species remain unidentified and at risk of disappearing.