New tiny wild cat species identified in Bolivia's Yungas cloud forest
Researchers have named Leopardus tilcayo, a diminutive wild cat about 18 inches long and weighing roughly 3 lb, after examining two live specimens, including a ten‑year‑old male kept at the Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary. DNA work on South American tiger‑cat samples showed the Bolivian population represents a distinct lineage separate from other tiger cats. The study also reported a newly recognized subspecies in Peru's Yungas. Scientists say the discovery underscores hidden biodiversity in the cloud‑forest region and the urgency of protecting its rapidly disappearing habitat.
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Why it matters
The find reveals previously unknown wildlife in a threatened ecosystem, emphasizing the need for conservation of the Yungas cloud forests.
How this story developed
- Sep 17 Scientists announce discovery of a new wild cat species in Bolivia's cloud forests
- Sep 18 The cat received the scientific name Leopardus tilcayo following DNA analysis.
- Sep 26 A related subspecies has been identified in Peru's Yungas cloud forest.
