Newly identified Bolivian wildcat species named Leopardus tilcayo
Scientists in Bolivia have identified a previously unknown wildcat species, named Leopardus tilcayo, after studying a 10-year-old cat called Tigrino who had been raised by a family as a domestic pet.
Researchers have identified a new wildcat species in Bolivia, giving it the scientific name Leopardus tilcayo. The discovery centers on a cat named Tigrino, who is now 10 years old.
Tigrino had spent years living with a family that adopted him, believing he was an ordinary domestic cat. It was only later that scientists determined he actually belonged to a wildcat species not previously described in Bolivia.
Tigrino now lives in an enclosure, where he has been observed and filmed playing. Footage shows his natural playfulness and physical activity within the space provided for him.
The identification of this new species adds to scientific understanding of wildcat diversity in South America, and highlights that previously undescribed species may still exist in the region, occasionally ending up in human care after being mistaken for domestic cats.
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