A new species of wild cat has been identified in Bolivia’s Yungas forest, marking the first discovery of a living feline species in more than 100 years. The species, named Leopardus tilcayo, was found at a wildlife sanctuary in the region, a few hours’ drive from La Paz, the country’s administrative capital.

Bolivian biologist Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz, a lead researcher and National Geographic explorer, encountered the cat after being invited to examine it by a colleague. The small, spotted feline had been living at the sanctuary for years after a local family found it in the forest and struggled to keep it as a pet. The male cat, now about 10 years old, is notably smaller than an average house cat, measuring approximately 18 inches from head to the base of its tail and weighing just three pounds. Its coat is light brown with dark, leopard-like spots.

To determine the cat’s classification, researchers conducted extensive genetic analyses using genomes from over 30 wild cats across Colombia, Peru, Brazil, and Bolivia. They also extracted DNA from bones and preserved skins housed in U.S. and European museums. This analysis revealed that Leopardus tilcayo diverged from its closest relatives around 1.4 million years ago. The last wild cat species formally described was the Uruguayan pampas cat in 1923.

According to Nogales-Ascarrunz, the species had been overlooked by naturalists during explorations in the 17th through 19th centuries and only recently recognized by science despite its familiarity to local communities in the tropical cloud forests of the Andes. The species name tilcayo reflects the indigenous term used in these areas.

An independent expert not involved in the study, Wai-Ming Wong from the global wild cat conservation group Panthera, noted that while local populations were aware of the cat, it had not previously been classified as a separate species. The discovery also clarified long-standing confusion about South America’s tiger cats, which had once been considered a single species due to their similar appearance. The genetic findings suggest that there are at least five distinct species in the group, including the newly identified tilcayo.

The researchers highlighted the need for further study on Leopardus tilcayo’s population size, habitat preferences, diet, and behavior, as its distribution is currently confirmed only within Bolivia’s Yungas forests. Conservationists stress the importance of protecting this habitat amid ongoing threats from deforestation and illegal gold mining.

Jonas Lescroart, a coauthor of the study and evolutionary biologist at the University of Antwerp, emphasized the urgency of such discoveries, noting that biodiversity worldwide faces increasing pressure and loss. The identification of Leopardus tilcayo represents a significant step toward understanding and preserving the rich, yet still partially unknown, diversity of South America’s wild cats.