A tiny spotted cat nicknamed Tigrino has been identified as Leopardus tilcayo, marking the first living wild cat species described in more than a century. The animal lives at Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary near La Paz and is kept from constant public view because he is easily stressed. The discovery, published in Current Biology, has generated social media buzz and helped raise awareness about conserving Bolivia's cloud-forest wildlife.
Tiny 'Tigrino' Cat in Bolivia Identified as New Species, Drawing Crowds and Conservation Attention
A small spotted wild cat identified as a new species, Leopardus tilcayo, walks inside Senda Verde wildlife sanctuary in Bolivia's Yungas region, near Coroico, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)(AP Photo/Juan Karita)
COROICO, Bolivia — A tiny, spotted wild cat long hidden in Bolivia's cloud forests has been identified as a distinct species, sparking excitement among scientists, visitors and conservationists alike.
A small spotted wild cat identified as a new species, Leopardus tilcayo, walks inside Senda Verde wildlife sanctuary in Bolivia's Yungas region, near Coroico, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)(AP Photo/Juan Karita)
The little feline, affectionately nicknamed Tigrino, has become an unexpected attraction at the Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary near La Paz. Staff keep him away from constant public view because he is easily stressed; when The Associated Press visited, Tigrino cautiously stepped from cover, sniffed the air, paced for a few minutes and then slipped back into the foliage.
A small spotted wild cat identified as a new species, Leopardus tilcayo, rests inside Senda Verde wildlife sanctuary in Bolivia's Yungas region near Coroico, Bolivia, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)(AP Photo/Juan Karita)
A New Cat Species: Leopardus tilcayo
Researchers have assigned Tigrino to Leopardus tilcayo, the first living wild cat species to be described by scientists in more than a century. At about 18 inches (46 centimeters) from head to the base of his tail and roughly 3 pounds (1.4 kilograms), he is smaller than a typical house cat and marked by large, leopard‑like spots.
A small spotted wild cat identified as a new species, Leopardus tilcayo, rests inside Senda Verde wildlife sanctuary in Bolivia's Yungas region near Coroico, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)(AP Photo/Juan Karita)
The species description, published in the journal Current Biology, touched off a wave of attention on social media and increased visitation to the sanctuary. Tigrino arrived at Senda Verde in 2017 after a family found him and were unable to keep him as a house pet.
A small spotted wild cat identified as a new species, Leopardus tilcayo, stands inside Senda Verde wildlife sanctuary in Bolivia's Yungas region, near Coroico, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)(AP Photo/Juan Karita)
"Tigrino has become, in just a few days, an ambassador for conservation," said sanctuary co-founder Marcelo Levy. "The new species designation has helped spotlight the need to protect wild cats and their forest habitat in Bolivia."
Conservationists say the discovery underscores how much remains to be learned about biodiversity in the cloud forests and highlights the importance of preserving these fragile ecosystems for rare and little-known species.
Why it matters: The identification of Leopardus tilcayo is a rare scientific milestone and a reminder that even small, cryptic species can play an outsized role in public engagement and conservation efforts.
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