New Bolivian Tiger Cat Species Highlights Gaps in Conservation

Researchers announced the discovery of Leopardus tilcayo, a tiger cat identified as a distinct species through DNA testing. It is the first living cat species to be formally named and described in more than a century.

The animal, known locally as Tilcayo, lives in Bolivia’s mist‑shrouded Yungas forest. It is about 46 cm (18 in) long and weighs roughly three pounds, making it smaller than most domestic cats. “Its fur is light brown with irregular rosettes,” described National Geographic explorer Paola Nogales Ascarrunz.

By analysing DNA from 38 tiger‑cat samples across South America, the team found that what was once considered a single species actually consists of five genetically distinct lineages. The Tilcayo lineage diverged from its relatives around 1.4 million years ago, according to evolutionary biologist Jonas Lescroart.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently classifies tiger cats as two vulnerable species. The new genetic evidence has been sent to the IUCN, and the upcoming review will assess each of the five lineages separately. Lescroart warned that the Tilcayo could be listed as endangered when evaluated on its own.

Recognising a hidden species changes how scientists count biodiversity and how conservation resources are allocated. In the threatened Yungas ecosystem, accurate status assessments are essential for protecting habitats from deforestation, fires and mining.

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