A new species of wild cat, Leopardus tilcayo, has been officially described in the journal Current Biology, marking the first such discovery for a cat in more than a century. Unlike traditional methods that rely on physical characteristics, this identification was made using genetic analysis of the cat's mitochondrial and nuclear DNA. The species was discovered through a semi-domestic Bolivian cat named Tigrino, which was rescued at the Senda Verde sanctuary near La Paz. Tigrino, about ten years old, appeared unremarkable and was initially thought to be a domestic cat. However, genetic testing revealed it to be part of a lineage that had been separated from other tigers for a long time. The study found that the group of small wild cats in South America actually consists of five distinct species, rather than just a few poorly defined subspecies. This discovery changes how scientists classify and potentially protect these animals. It also highlights the limitations of using visual identification alone, as a previously mislabeled museum specimen was later found to be a margay, a different species of wild cat. Leopardus tilcayo is a small animal, about 46 centimeters long and weighing just 1.4 kilograms. Its discovery has altered the classification of South American cats, showing that there is still much to learn about the region's wildlife. Researchers involved in the study suggest that new species could still be found, particularly in Argentina, where further analysis of museum specimens might reveal more surprises. This breakthrough underscores how the biodiversity of our planet remains largely underestimated, even for animals that appear familiar. The use of genetic analysis is proving to be a powerful tool in uncovering hidden diversity among species that were previously thought to be well understood.