New cat species identified in Bolivia, first in over a century

A previously unknown species of wild cat has been identified in the cloud forests of Bolivia. Known locally as the Tilcayo, the animal is classified as a member of the tiger cat group, which is distributed across various regions of South America. This discovery marks the first time a new living cat species has been formally named and described in more than 100 years.

The identification of the Tilcayo represents a significant development in feline taxonomy. As a diminutive species inhabiting a specific high-altitude forest ecosystem, its formal recognition highlights the ongoing biological exploration of South American wildlife.