Scientists have identified a new species of wild cat, marking the first discovery of its kind in over a hundred years. The Tilcayo tiger cat, a small feline with a spotted, leopard-like coat, was found in Bolivia’s mountainous Yungas region near La Paz. Locals initially mistook the animal for an ordinary house cat.
The research team, including biologist and National Geographic explorer Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz, studied the creature and confirmed its unique classification. This new cat species, named Leopardus tilcayo after an indigenous nickname, was seen at the Senda Verde animal refuge in early September 2026.
Nogales-Ascarrunz stated that discovering a new wild cat species is a “remarkable event, because a new wild cat species hasn’t been described in 100 years.” The last discovery was the Uruguayan pampas cat in 1923.
The Tilcayo tiger cat is slightly smaller than a domestic cat, measuring around 18 inches, and features rounded ears. Two Tilcayos, the only ones identified so far, have undergone whole genome sequencing, which involves thorough genetic testing.
A male Tilcayo currently resides at an animal shelter in the Yungas, turned over by a family who had taken him in. A female was rescued after an attack and successfully released into the wild. Research findings were published in the journal Current Biology, concluding work that began in 2021.
Presently, the Tilcayo tiger cat has been detected only in Bolivia. Their numbers are low, placing them in a vulnerable classification. There are concerns about the species being at greater risk of extinction due to their limited population.
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