From Newsweek · · 1m 20s
Newly discovered wild cat species faces 3 major threats
Newly discovered wild cat species faces 3 major threats to its existence.
In brief
Newly discovered wild cat species faces 3 major threats to its existence. The Leopardus tilcayo, a new tiger cat species found in Bolivia, faces habitat loss, hunting, and disease threats from domestic animals. Originally reported by Newsweek.
New species discovered
The Leopardus tilcayo, a new species of tiger cat, is the first novel living cat species discovered in over 100 years.
Discovered in Bolivia
The cat was found in the Bolivian Yungas, a cloud forest in the eastern Andes, after a local man fed it noodles, rice, and eggs.
Two live specimens
One male lives at La Senda Verde Animal Refuge and one female was released there after being captured.
Three major threats
The Leopardus tilcayo faces habitat loss, hunting, and diseases transmitted by domestic animals as key threats to its survival.
No human threat
The Tilcayo is a shy, small cat that avoids humans and poses no threat to people or other animals.
Local name origin
Communities in Bolivia refer to the cat as 'tilcayo', which researchers kept as a tribute to local usage.
Next steps for research
Researchers will study the cat's distribution, habitat, and population structure to better understand its conservation needs.
The big picture
The Leopardus tilcayo, a new tiger cat species found in Bolivia, faces habitat loss, hunting, and disease threats from domestic animals.
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