Scientists have identified a brand-new species of wildcat in Bolivia, the first newly described living wildcat species in more than a century.

The animal, named the Tilcayo tiger cat (Leopardus tilcayo), was described in a study published on 17 September 2026. It lives in the Bolivian Yungas, the forested slopes on the eastern side of the Andes.

The Tilcayo is small: about 46 centimetres long and weighing around 1.4 kilograms. It has a long tail and a mottled, rosette-patterned coat that helps it blend into the forest. Genetic analysis showed it is distinct from all known small cat species in South America.

The last time scientists formally described a new living wildcat species was more than a hundred years ago, making the discovery a landmark moment for mammal researchers.

The researchers say the Tilcayo’s habitat is under pressure from deforestation and farming. They hope the discovery will draw attention to the Yungas forests, which harbour many species found nowhere else on Earth, and encourage efforts to protect them.