For the first time in over 100 years, scientists have discovered a new species of cat, named Leopardus tilcayo, a small, spotted wild cat found in the Yungas cloud forest of Bolivia. The discovery, published in the journal Current Biology, reveals that what was once thought to be a single species, the northern tiger cat (Leopardus tigrinus), is actually made up of several distinct species. Leopardus tilcayo, in particular, diverged from other Leopardus species about 1.4 million years ago, making it the first new living cat species to be identified in more than a century. The study also identified a new subspecies of tiger cat, Leopardus tigrinus antisuyo, found in Peru. Previously, all tiger cats were classified as a single species, but recent genetic research shows that the group consists of five distinct species, including L. tilcayo, L. guttulus, L. emiliae, L. pardinoides, and L. tigrinus, as well as the new subspecies L. tigrinus antisuyo. This finding highlights the complexity of biodiversity within the tiger cat family and underscores the need for more detailed classification. Descriptions of L. tilcayo are based on only two live individuals in Bolivia: one captured and photographed in the wild, and another that lives in captivity. These small cats weigh between 1.5 to 2 kilograms (3 to 4 pounds) and measure up to 50 centimeters (20 inches) in body length, excluding the tail, which adds about 25 centimeters (10 inches). The male in captivity, nicknamed Tigrino, is the species' "type specimen," which is used as a reference for identification. Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz, a biologist and co-author of the study, noted that L. tilcayo is smaller than a typical house cat and emphasized that the discovery of new animal species is rare, especially among larger animals. Nogales-Ascarrunz, who leads the Bolivian Felid Research and Conservation Program, stressed the importance of further research to determine the population size of L. tilcayo, which is currently unknown. The research team analyzed the complete genomes of 38 cat samples from South and Central America, including eight from museum specimens. Their findings confirmed that the group known as tiger cats consists of five species, validating four previously proposed species and identifying L. tilcayo as the fifth. The team also identified a new subspecies of L. tigrinus, named L. tigrinus antisuyo. Tiger cats face significant conservation challenges, including deforestation, wildlife trafficking, and diseases spread by domestic dogs. The IUCN Red List currently lists the northern and southern tiger cats as vulnerable species with declining populations, but these classifications may change with the new findings. Accurate population data can help governments and environmental agencies develop targeted conservation strategies. Local communities in Bolivia have known about L. tilcayo for generations, referring to it as "Tilcayo." The name was chosen to honor traditional knowledge rather than assign a new scientific name. Nogales-Ascarrunz emphasized the importance of conservation efforts, stating that the discovery is a new reason to protect the world's biodiversity.