Bolivian Researchers Uncover New Wild Cat Species After Over a Century
Bolivia unveils new wild cat species, Leopardus tilcayo, after 100 years. Discovery details and conservation concerns.
POLICY WIRE — La Paz, Bolivia — A new wild cat species has been identified in the Yungas region of Bolivia, marking the first such discovery in over a century, according to a researcher.
The newly named Leopardus tilcayo, known locally as the Tilcayo tiger cat, was found in the Andes near La Paz. Locals initially mistook the small feline with a leopard-like coat for a common house cat, but scientific analysis confirmed its distinct identity.
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Biologist Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz, part of the research team, highlighted the significance of the find, calling it a rare event since the last wild cat species was described in 1923. The two known individuals, a male and a female, have undergone genetic testing, and the findings were published in the journal Current Biology on Thursday.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
