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New cat species discovered after a century
The gist
Scientists described Leopardus tilcayo, the first new wild cat species in over 100 years, in Bolivia.
The discovery highlights how much biodiversity remains unknown and why protecting these forests matters.
How it unfolded
- 1923The Uruguayan pampas cat was described, the last new feline species before the tilcayo.
- 2016A man found the cat as a kitten on the side of a road near a forest in Bolivia.
- 2017The cat arrived at the Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary after a local family turned it over for care.