Science

Researchers report new wild cat species in Bolivia’s Yungas cloud forest

NBC News reports that genetic analysis supports identifying the tilcayo tiger cat as a distinct species, but its wild population remains unknown.

Updated Sep 17, 2026 · 16:42 UTC1 reports

The short version

Researchers have described Leopardus tilcayo, a spotted wild cat smaller than a typical house cat, in Current Biology, according to NBC News.[NBC News]
Researchers’ genetic analysis of two specimens indicates the species diverged from other tiger cat lineages about 1.4 million years ago.[NBC News]
Its wild population is unknown. Co-author Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz says further studies are needed for conservation as tiger cats face expanding development and agriculture.[NBC News]

NBC News reports that Leopardus tilcayo inhabits Bolivia’s Yungas cloud forest and is smaller than a typical house cat.[NBC News]
The species was first described in Current Biology on Thursday, according to NBC News.[NBC News]
Researchers report that genetic analysis of two specimens supports a distinct species, with divergence from other tiger cat lineages about 1.4 million years ago.[NBC News]
Nogales-Ascarrunz says local Bolivian communities have known the animal as tilcayo for generations.[NBC News]

The number of tilcayo tiger cats remaining in the wild is unknown; Nogales-Ascarrunz says more research is needed to inform conservation.[NBC News]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.