Scientists have identified a new species of wild cat, Leopardus tilcayo, in the cloud forests of Bolivia. The discovery, published on Thursday, September 17, 2026, in the journal Current Biology, represents the first living feline species described by researchers in more than a century.
A resident of the Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary near La Paz, nicknamed "Tigrino," has been identified as a member of this new species. Tigrino has lived at the sanctuary since 2017, when a family brought him there after an unsuccessful attempt to keep him as a domestic pet. The sanctuary reported a stream of visitors from Bolivia and beyond following the publication of the research.
The feline is approximately 18 inches (46 centimeters) long from head to the base of the tail and weighs 3 pounds (1.4 kilograms), making it smaller than the average house cat. It is characterized by large, leopard-like spots. Sanctuary co-founder Marcelo Levy stated that Tigrino is easily stressed by attention, leading caretakers to keep him out of public view to manage the recent crowds.
According to Marcelo Levy, the new species designation serves as a tool for raising awareness about the protection of wild cats and tropical forest habitats in Bolivia. Scientists noted this is the first such identification in over 100 years. For the Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary, the immediate impact is managing increased public interest while protecting the specimen. The sanctuary described the influx as a "stream" of people that necessitated restricted access to the animal's enclosure.
The discovery was formally announced on September 17, 2026. While the animal remains at the Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary, caretakers intend to continue maintaining Tigrino's seclusion to ensure the animal's well-being.