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Meet Earth's newest wild cat species, living in Bolivia and the first named in over a century

PBS • September 18, 2026 • world

Key Points:

Scientists have identified a new wild cat species, Leopardus tilcayo, at a wildlife sanctuary in Bolivia, marking the first discovery of a living wild cat species in over 100 years.
The newly recognized cat is notably small, about 18 inches long and weighing 3 pounds, with a light brown coat patterned with dark spots, and was found in the Yungas cloud forests of the Andes.
Genetic analysis comparing over 30 cats from South America revealed that this species diverged from its relatives around 1.4 million years ago, clarifying that what was once thought to be a single species of tiger cats actually comprises at least five distinct species.
Researchers named the species Leopardus tilcayo to honor the indigenous communities' ancestral knowledge and connection to the animal, and they emphasize the need to study its behavior, diet, and habitat further.
Conservationists hope this discovery will aid in protecting the cat’s threatened forest habitat from deforestation and mining, highlighting the urgency of biodiversity research amid environmental pressures.

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