Scientists Identify Leopardus tilcayo in Bolivia

Leopardus tilcayo is a newly identified living feline species from Bolivia. The species was formally described on 17 September 2026, and it is the first new living cat species identified in more than 100 years. The animal is locally known as “tilcayo” and belongs to the tiger cat group.

Taxonomy and Classification

Leopardus tilcayo belongs to the genus Leopardus, which includes several small wild cats of the Americas. Tiger cats are part of the family Felidae, the biological family that includes all cats. Genetic analysis placed the tilcayo lineage as separate from other tiger cats about 1.4 million years ago.

Habitat and Distribution

The species was identified in Bolivia’s Yungas cloud forest, a mountainous ecological zone where the Andes meet the Amazon basin. The Yungas region contains humid forests, steep slopes, and high biodiversity, and it is part of the eastern Andean landscape.

• The Yungas cloud forest lies in a transition zone between Andean and Amazonian ecosystems.
• Bolivia is a South American country with parts of the Andes Mountains and the Amazon basin.
• Cloud forests are characterised by persistent moisture, frequent mist, and dense vegetation.

Physical Features and Identification

The cat measures about 18 inches, or 46 cm, in length and weighs between 3 and 4 pounds, or 1.4 to 2 kg. Its fur is light brown with irregular rosettes, which gives it a leopard-like appearance. The species is smaller than an average domestic cat.

Scientific Confirmation

Researchers used genetic data to confirm the species status of Leopardus tilcayo. The study involved Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz, a National Geographic explorer and co-author, and Jonas Lescroart, an evolutionary biologist from the University of Antwerp. The findings were published in the journal Current Biology on 17 September 2026.

Important Facts for Exams

• Felidae is the biological family that includes all cats, both domestic and wild.
• Leopardus is a genus of small wild cats found in the Americas.
• Genetic analysis is a standard method used in modern species identification and taxonomy.
• Cloud forests are high-altitude forests with frequent mist and high humidity.

Discovery Context

The first known individual of the species was taken to the Senda Verde animal refuge in Bolivia around 2017 after being kept by a local family. Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz first encountered the animal in 2016. The discovery resolved a long-standing debate on the tiger cat family tree.