Scientists have identified a new wild cat species in Bolivia. It is called the tilcayo, or Leopardus tilcayo. It is the first new living wild cat described in over 100 years. The discovery was published in Current Biology in September 2026. The cat lives in the Yungas cloud forests of Bolivia. It is smaller than a house cat. Its body is about 45 cm long. It weighs around 1.4 kg. It has rounded ears and a light brown coat with large spots. Local communities had long known the animal. They called it tilcayo. Scientists confirmed it is a separate species through DNA studies. The team analysed complete genomes from 38 tiger cats. They also studied eight museum specimens. The study found five distinct tiger cat species in South America. A kitten found near a road became the key specimen. It was cared for at the Senda Verde wildlife refuge. The cat, nicknamed Tigrino, is now the holotype of the species. The last new wild cat was described in 1923. Researchers say the find shows how much biodiversity remains hidden. Conservationists want the cloud forests protected.