{
  "slug": "tilcayo-cat-bolivia-new-species",
  "url": "https://lovebolivia.com/tilcayo-cat-bolivia-new-species/",
  "urlEs": "https://lovebolivia.com/es/tilcayo-cat-bolivia-new-species/",
  "title": "Bolivia's Tilcayo Cat: The World's Newest Wild Cat Species",
  "titleEs": "El gato tilcayo de Bolivia: la nueva especie de felino silvestre",
  "excerpt": "Bolivia is home to the tilcayo — the first new wild cat species identified in over 100 years. Discover where it lives, why it matters, and how to visit its cloud forest habitat.",
  "excerptEs": "Bolivia alberga el tilcayo, la primera nueva especie de felino silvestre identificada en más de 100 años. Descubre dónde vive, por qué es importante y cómo visitar su hábitat en los bosques nublados.",
  "date": "2026-09-19",
  "lastUpdated": "2026-09-19",
  "readTime": "7 min",
  "eco": "yungas",
  "tags": [
    "Wildlife",
    "Yungas",
    "Discovery",
    "Cats"
  ],
  "author": "Daihana Travel",
  "imgUrl": "https://images.pexels.com/photos/30460402/pexels-photo-30460402.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&w=1200",
  "llmSummary": "The tilcayo (Leopardus tilcayo) is a newly described species of tiger cat discovered in Bolivia's Yungas cloud forest, published in Current Biology on September 17, 2026 — the first new wild cat species identified in over 100 years. It weighs approximately 1.4 kg and measures 46 cm in length, making it smaller than a domestic cat. The species was identified through genetic analysis by Bolivian biologist Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz and diverged from other tiger cat lineages approximately 1.4 million years ago. The only known individual in captivity lives at Senda Verde wildlife sanctuary near Coroico in the Bolivian Yungas, where it has been nicknamed Tigrino.",
  "llmSummaryEs": "El tilcayo (Leopardus tilcayo) es una nueva especie de gato tigre descubierta en los Yungas bolivianos, publicada en Current Biology el 17 de septiembre de 2026 — la primera nueva especie de felino silvestre descrita en más de 100 años. Pesa aproximadamente 1,4 kg y mide 46 cm, menor que un gato doméstico. Fue identificado genéticamente por la bióloga boliviana Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz. El único individuo en cautiverio, apodado Tigrino, vive en el santuario Senda Verde cerca de Coroico.",
  "keyFacts": [
    "The tilcayo (Leopardus tilcayo) was formally described on September 17, 2026 in Current Biology — the first new wild cat species identified in over 100 years.",
    "It weighs approximately 1.4 kg and measures 46 cm in length, making it smaller than an average domestic cat.",
    "The tilcayo diverged from other tiger cat lineages approximately 1.4 million years ago and is endemic to Bolivia's Yungas cloud forest.",
    "The only known captive individual — nicknamed Tigrino — has lived at Senda Verde wildlife sanctuary near Coroico, Bolivia, since 2016.",
    "The discovery was led by Bolivian biologist Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz, founder of the Bolivian Felids Research Program."
  ],
  "entities": [
    {
      "name": "Leopardus tilcayo",
      "type": "Species"
    },
    {
      "name": "Yungas",
      "type": "Place"
    },
    {
      "name": "Senda Verde",
      "type": "Organization"
    },
    {
      "name": "Coroico",
      "type": "Place"
    },
    {
      "name": "Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz",
      "type": "Person"
    }
  ],
  "faqItems": [
    {
      "q": "Where can I see the tilcayo cat in Bolivia?",
      "a": "The only known captive tilcayo lives at Senda Verde wildlife sanctuary near Coroico in the Yungas, about 3 hours from La Paz. Wild individuals inhabit Bolivia's Yungas cloud forests, but sightings are extremely rare given how recently the species was described.",
      "qEs": "¿Dónde puedo ver el gato tilcayo en Bolivia?",
      "aEs": "El único tilcayo en cautiverio vive en el santuario Senda Verde cerca de Coroico, en los Yungas, a unas 3 horas de La Paz. Los individuos silvestres habitan los bosques nublados de los Yungas, aunque los avistamientos son extremadamente raros."
    },
    {
      "q": "Is the tilcayo endangered?",
      "a": "Its conservation status is not yet formally assessed by the IUCN, as the species was only described in September 2026. However, given its restricted range in the Yungas cloud forest and the ongoing threats of deforestation and habitat fragmentation, it is considered highly vulnerable.",
      "qEs": "¿Está en peligro de extinción el gato tilcayo?",
      "aEs": "Su estado de conservación aún no ha sido evaluado formalmente por la UICN, ya que la especie se describió en septiembre de 2026. Sin embargo, dado su rango restringido en los Yungas y la deforestación continua, se considera altamente vulnerable."
    },
    {
      "q": "How big is the tilcayo cat?",
      "a": "The tilcayo is smaller than a domestic cat, weighing about 1.4 kg (3 pounds) and measuring approximately 46 cm (18 inches) in body length. It has spotted fur similar to other tiger cats in the Leopardus genus.",
      "qEs": "¿Qué tamaño tiene el gato tilcayo?",
      "aEs": "El tilcayo es más pequeño que un gato doméstico, pesa unos 1,4 kg y mide aproximadamente 46 cm de largo. Tiene pelaje moteado similar a los otros gatos tigre del género Leopardus."
    }
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "Leopardus tilcayo — Current Biology (2026)",
      "url": "https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext"
    },
    {
      "title": "Tilcayo tiger cat — Wikipedia",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilcayo_tiger_cat"
    },
    {
      "title": "New species of wild cat discovered in Bolivia's cloud forest — Discover Wildlife",
      "url": "https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/mammals/tilcayo-cat-bolivian-yungus"
    },
    {
      "title": "La Senda Verde — Wikipedia",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Senda_Verde"
    }
  ],
  "primaryKeyword": "tilcayo cat bolivia",
  "primaryKeywordEs": "gato tilcayo bolivia",
  "metaTitle": "Tilcayo Cat Bolivia: World's Newest Wild Cat Species",
  "metaDesc": "Meet the tilcayo — Bolivia's newly described wild cat species, the first new feline identified in over 100 years. Learn where to find it in Bolivia's Yungas cloud forest.",
  "canonical": "https://lovebolivia.com/tilcayo-cat-bolivia-new-species/",
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}