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New cat species identified in Bolivia, first in over a century

New cat species identified in Bolivia, first in over a century
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Friday, 18 September, 2026, 20:42

A diminutive wild cat that inhabits Bolivia's cloud forest has been identified as a previously unknown species, marking the first time a new living cat species has been formally named and described ​in more than a century.
The cat, called Tilcayo by local communities, is part of a group called tiger cats found across much of South America. ‌It was found in Bolivia's lush Yungas forest, a mountainous region where forests are often covered by clouds and surrounded by high humidity, according to researchers. It measures about 18 inches (46 cm) long and weighs around 3 pounds (1.4 kg), making it smaller than the average domestic cat.

Leopardus tilcayo
Leopardus tilcayo
Leopardus tilcayo
Leopardus tilcayo
Leopardus tilcayo
Leopardus tilcayo