New Species of Wild Cat Discovered: Tilcayo Tiger Cat

Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery of a new species of wild cat for the first time in over a century. The Tilcayo tiger cat, identified in the Yungas region near La Paz, Bolivia, has a distinctive spotted coat resembling a leopard.

Local residents initially mistook this feline for a common house cat. Biologist and National Geographic explorer Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz, who was part of the research team, revealed that the nickname “tilcayo” used by locals inspired the scientific designation Leopardus tilcayo.

This new species represents the first wild cat discovery since the Uruguayan pampas cat was identified in 1923. The Tilcayo tiger cat is smaller than a typical domestic cat, measuring approximately 18 inches. It has rounded ears and a unique appearance.

“This discovery is a remarkable event since a new wild cat species hasn’t been described in 100 years,” Nogales-Ascarrunz stated.

Two Tilcayo tiger cats have undergone whole genome sequencing, an advanced form of genetic testing. The research, led by Nogales-Ascarrunz, has been published in the journal Current Biology.

In Yungas, a male Tilcayo lives at an animal shelter, after being handed over by a family. A female Tilcayo was saved from local aggression and released back into the wild. According to Nogales-Ascarrunz, the species has only been detected in Bolivia and is considered vulnerable to extinction. The small number of Tilcayo cats increases their risk of dying out.