Genetic analysis confirms Leopardus tilcayo as first new wild cat species in over a century
Scientists have officially described Leopardus tilcayo, a small wild cat from Bolivia’s Yungas cloud forests, as a distinct species. This marks the first new living cat species identified in over 100 years. Genetic analysis reveals the species diverged from other tiger cats approximately 1.4 million years ago. While locals had long known the animal, its distinct genetic lineage was only confirmed recently. The discovery highlights urgent conservation needs, as the species’ habitat faces threats from logging and agriculture, and its population size remains unknown.