New cat species identified for first time in more than a century in Bolivia

Published 1w ago · Updated 1w ago

Covered in 3 countries

AI summary48s readPositive

Scientists have discovered a tiny new wild cat species in Bolivia, marking a century-first for feline taxonomy.

Researchers in Bolivia have identified a new species of wild feline inhabiting the misty Yungas cloud forest, marking the first time a living cat species has been formally described in more than a century. Known locally as the tilcayo, the diminutive creature weighs roughly three pounds and is smaller than an average domestic cat. The discovery highlights the rich biodiversity hidden within South American cloud forests and underscores the ongoing efforts to document and protect vulnerable ecosystems.

The newly identified feline belongs to a group of tiger cats distributed across South America.
The animal measures approximately eighteen inches in length and weighs about three pounds.
Local communities in the mountainous cloud forest region refer to the creature as tilcayo.
Reports indicate there may be only one known living member of this newly classified species currently documented.

By the numbers

18inches long

3pounds weight

Why it matters

Discovering new mammal species, particularly carnivores of this size, is exceptionally rare in modern zoology and provides critical data for global biodiversity conservation initiatives.

What outlets agree on

Outlets agree that researchers have identified a brand new wild cat species in Bolivia's Yungas forest, representing the first time in over a century that a new living feline species has been formally described.

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In this story

BoliviaYungas forestTilcayoIUCN red list of endangered species

Covered by 5 outlets

60% of the sources are Left

60%40%

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