# Scientists discover first new cat species in 100+ years

> A tiny spotted cat found in Bolivia's rainforest is the first feline species identified in over a century.
- Title: Scientists discover first new cat species in 100+ years
- Summary: A tiny spotted cat found in Bolivia's rainforest is the first feline species identified in over a century. A new cat species discovered in Bolivia through…
- Keywords: leopardus tilcayo, bolivia, new species discovery, feline species, yungas forest, genetic testing, wildlife sanctuary, cat family tree, national geographic, news, local, Scientists
- Source: ABC7 San Francisco — https://abc7news.com/post/leopardus-tilcayo-tiny-cat-discovered-bolivia-said-1st-new-feline-species-100-years/19844661
- Published: 2026-09-17T21:51:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: leopardus tilcayo, bolivia, new species discovery, feline species, yungas forest, genetic testing, wildlife sanctuary, cat family tree, national geographic, news, local
## Tiny spotted cat found in Bolivia
A small cat smaller than a housecat with leopard-like spots has been discovered in Bolivia's Yungas forest ecoregion. The proposed name is Leopardus tilcayo.

> Smaller than an average housecat and covered in leopard-like spots
## First new feline in over 100 years
This discovery marks the first new cat species identified in more than 100 years, making it a significant find for feline taxonomy.
## Kitten brought to wildlife sanctuary
Scientists first noticed the animal when it was brought to a wildlife sanctuary as a kitten, sparking their investigation.
## Genetic testing confirms new species
Genetic testing revealed the cat didn't match any known feline species, confirming it was entirely new to science.
## Redrawing the cat family tree
The discovery is reshaping scientific understanding of feline evolution and relationships between cat species.
## New methods could find more cats
Researchers hope the genetic techniques used to identify this species could help discover additional unknown cat species worldwide.
## Key takeaway

A new cat species discovered in Bolivia through genetic testing could help scientists find more unknown felines worldwide.