A small wild cat native to Bolivia’s cloud forests has been identified as a distinct species, marking the first formal description of a new living cat species in over a century. The felid, locally known as Tilcayo, inhabits the Yungas forest region, a mountainous area characterized by cloud-covered humid forests.

Members of the National Geographic Explorer team, alongside researchers from the University of Antwerp and other institutions, confirmed the animal’s status as a separate species through genetic analysis. The animal has been named Leopardus tilcayo, preserving its indigenous name. Measuring approximately 46 centimeters long and weighing around 1.5 kilograms, the Tilcayo is smaller than the average domestic cat. Its coat features light brown fur adorned with irregularly shaped rosettes.

Study co-lead author Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz noted that limited information is available about the cat’s behavior and ecology. Analysis of scat samples found remnants of small rodents, suggesting they are part of its diet. Camera trap footage indicates the species may be primarily nocturnal.

The Tilcayo belongs to a group of small South American felines known as tiger cats. These animals are classified as cryptic species, meaning they are difficult to distinguish based solely on outward appearance. Previously, tiger cats were generally treated as a single species, but earlier genetic studies hinted at multiple distinct lineages. The recent research, which examined DNA from 38 individuals across several South American countries—including eight museum specimens—identified five genetically distinct species within the tiger cat group.

Jonas Lescroart, an evolutionary biologist and study co-lead from the University of Antwerp, said the researchers had not anticipated the discovery of a new species in Bolivia. Genetic data suggest the Tilcayo’s lineage diverged from other tiger cats around 1.4 million years ago, a separation long enough to warrant species-level distinction.

One of the study’s examined specimens is a 10-year-old male now residing at the Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary, after previously being held by a local family. The team also described a new tiger cat subspecies in Peru’s Yungas, named Leopardus tigrinus antisuyo, referencing the historic region of the Inca Empire where it lives.

Currently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List classifies tiger cats as two separate “vulnerable” species with declining populations. The research team has submitted their findings to the IUCN, which is expected to evaluate the five newly recognized lineages independently. This reassessment could lead to more precise conservation statuses, potentially designating species such as the Tilcayo as endangered.

Conservationists emphasize the urgency of protecting the Yungas forests, which face ongoing threats from deforestation, agricultural expansion, mining, and human-induced fires. Efforts to restore damaged forest patches, preserve remaining native habitat, and maintain ecological connectivity are critical to the survival of the region’s unique wildlife.

The discovery underlines that even in well-known animal groups, undiscovered species may persist. Eduardo Eizirik, senior author of the study, highlighted the risk that many such species could vanish before being formally identified, underscoring the need for continued conservation and research efforts.