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New wild cat species identified after 100 years
The gist
Scientists described Leopardus tilcayo, a new wild cat species from Bolivia, in Current Biology.
It is the first new cat species named in 100 years.
How it unfolded
- 2013Scientists provided evidence that Leopardus tigrinus were actually made up of two distinct species.
- 2016Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz was doing field work in Bolivia when a local wildlife sanctuary called her to come look at "a weird cat."
- 2017The cat arrived at the Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary after the local family keeping him turned him over for care.