# Scientists discover first new cat species in 100 years

> A tiny spotted cat from Bolivia's cloud forest is the first feline species identified by science since the 1920s.
- Title: Scientists discover first new cat species in 100 years
- Summary: A tiny spotted cat from Bolivia's cloud forest is the first feline species identified by science since the 1920s. Genetic testing revealed a new species…
- Keywords: leopardus tilcayo, tilcayo cat, bolivia, yungas cloud forest, new species discovery, feline, genetic testing, paola nogales ascarrunz, senda verde wildlife sanctuary, conservation, deforestation, tiger cats
- Source: ABC News — https://abcnews.com/US/new-feline-species-100-years-discovered-bolivian-forest/story?id=136539508
- Author: ABC News
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: leopardus tilcayo, tilcayo cat, bolivia, yungas cloud forest, new species discovery, feline, genetic testing, paola nogales ascarrunz, senda verde wildlife sanctuary, conservation, deforestation, tiger cats
## Tiny spotted cat found in Bolivia
Scientists discovered Leopardus tilcayo, a new feline species weighing under 3 pounds in Bolivia's Yungas cloud forest. It's the first new cat species identified in over 100 years.
## Pet kitten turned out to be wild
A local family kept the spotted kitten as a pet for a year before bringing it to Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary, where staff recognized it as a wild animal.
## Unique face gave it away
The tilcayo cat has a small scrunched face, round ears, and long whiskers that didn't match any known tiger cat photos. Researcher Paola Nogales Ascarrunz immediately noticed something was different.

> The first time I saw it, it was really, really small and skinny and I couldn't believe like how small it was
## DNA testing solved the mystery
Genetic testing compared the cat's DNA to other similar species in museums, revealing it was a completely new species. Previous methods relied only on appearance, which led to misclassification.
## Evolved 1.4 million years ago
The tilcayo cat likely split from other tiger cats around 1.4 million years ago. Genetic studies also helped scientists build an evolutionary tree showing how these wild cats relate to each other.
## New classification raises concerns
Splitting tiger cats into smaller species means some are now considered vulnerable by conservation groups. The tilcayo cat's cloud forest home faces threats from deforestation and uncontrolled wildfires.
## Discovery sparks conservation hope
Global media attention is shifting focus from large majestic cats to smaller elusive species. Nogales Ascarrunz believes the tilcayo discovery gives people another reason to protect this ecosystem.

> we always think about big discoveries. But maybe these new things are just around us
## Key takeaway

Genetic testing revealed a new species called Leopardus tilcayo hiding in plain sight in Bolivia's Yungas forest, showing that major discoveries can still happen with modern tools.