Rare Cat Found in Bolivian Forests, Its Own Kind After All

A new species of wild cat has been discovered in Bolivia, the first living feline species identified by scientists in over a century. Researchers at Current Biology described the “tiger cat,” officially named Leopardus tilcayo, after genetic tests showed it differed sharply from other similar-looking cats.

The small Bolivian predator weighs no more than three pounds and grows to about 18 inches long, smaller than the average house cat. It lives in the Yungas cloud forest of Bolivia.

How the Cat Was Recognized

The discovery began with a kitten kept as a pet by a local family. For a year, the spotted cat lived with them until they realized it was a wild animal and brought it to the Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary.

Paola Nogales Ascarrunz, a National Geographic Explorer and co-author of the study, told ABC News that the first sight of the animal was striking. “The first time I saw it, it was really, really small and skinny and I couldn’t believe like how small it was,” she said.

Nogales Ascarrunz found that the cat’s appearance set it apart. It had a small, crunched-up face, small and round ears, and long whiskers — none of which matched reference photos of known “tiger cats.”

DNA Testing Set It Apart

“Tiger cats” were previously treated as a single large species, often misclassified as oncillas or margays.

Advancements in genetic testing changed that. Instead of sorting by appearance, Nogales Ascarrunz and her team compared the whole genetic code of the sanctuary cat with specimens in museums.

The comparison revealed the new species and another new subspecies within the larger group of “tiger cats.” Scientists believe the tilcayo cat likely evolved from a common ancestor of “tiger cats” around 1.4 million years ago.

The genetic studies also helped construct an evolutionary tree, showing how these wild cats relate to one another.

What Is Known About the Species

Not much is known about the cat’s habitat or behavior. The 10-year-old male at the sanctuary is the only known tilcayo cat in captivity, but others are believed to have been photographed by camera traps in the cloud forests.

The new classification raises conservation concerns. Splitting the larger group of “tiger cats” into smaller species means some of those species are now considered vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The Yungas cloud forest itself faces threats. “Currently, this ecosystem is threatened by deforestation, especially with wildfires. When they are not controlled… they start destroying this ecosystem,” explains Nogales Ascarrunz.

Media Attention and Its Payoff

The global attention surrounding the discovery has Nogales Ascarrunz optimistic about conservation efforts. She said she finds the attention promising, noting a shift from interest in larger “majestic” cats to the smaller, more elusive felines.

She added that the attention may help bring the tilcayo cat out of obscurity. “I like to say…. that we always think about big discoveries,” Nogales Ascarrunz added. “But maybe these new things are just around us… now with Tilcayo, we have one more reason to conserve this beautiful world.”

That optimism rests on a few key points:

• The global attention has brought the small Bolivian predator into view
• The discovery marks the first living feline species identified in over a century
• Genetic tests proved the cat differed sharply from similar-looking species
• The sanctuary cat is the only known tilcayo cat in captivity

Source material: “First new feline species in 100 years discovered in Bolivian forest,” ABC News.

Bolivia · conservation · DNA testing · new species · wild cats