The Aporia · New cat species identified in Bolivia, first in over a century

New cat species identified in Bolivia, first in over a century

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Reuters. (2026, September 17). New cat species identified in Bolivia, first in over a century. South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/news/world/americas/article/3367909/new-cat-species-identified-bolivia-first-over-century?utm_source=rss_feed

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Quick Summary

Researchers in Bolivia have identified a new species of wild cat called Tilcayo in the Yungas cloud forest, marking the first discovery of a living cat species in over 100 years. This small feline, part of the South American tiger cats group, measures about 18 inches long and weighs approximately three pounds. Genetic analysis confirmed its status as a distinct species, which has been scientifically named Leopardus tilcayo while retaining the local name Tilcayo.

Written by AI on 2026-09-17, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

AI analysis

Story summary

Summary of New Feline Species Discovery

Species Name: Leopardus tilcayo (Tilcayo Cat)
Location: Yungas cloud forest in Bolivia
Size: Weighs up to 3 pounds, approximately 18 inches long
Appearance: Light brown fur with irregularly shaped rosettes similar to a leopard's spots, small scrunched-up face, small and round ears, and long whiskers.
Discovery: Initially mistaken for other wild cats due to its similarity in appearance; confirmed as a new species through genetic analysis by researchers including Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz of Universidad Mayor de San Andres in La Paz, Bolivia.
Significance: First living feline species identified in over 100 years, highlighting the importance of continued conservation efforts for lesser-known species like tiger cats.

Additional Insights

The tilcayo cat was initially kept as a pet by a local family due to its small size before being transferred to Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary.
It belongs to a group of South American felines known as tiger cats, which are found across Central and South America but receive less attention than larger species like lions or leopards.
The discovery aims to raise awareness about the conservation needs of these elusive smaller cat species.

Written for “New Cat Species Bolivia” on 2026-11-01, grounded in this article and the 16 other(s) covering the same event.

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Claims extracted

sentences that state something as happening or true

Uncertain

25%

1 of 4 hedged ("reportedly", "may", "according to")

Leaning

not political

takes no side on a contested political question

Publisher signals

64/100

South China Morning Post's corrections and hedging, across everything collected from it. Not a measure of accuracy.

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Science

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articles that frame the event the way this one does

Analyzed 2026-09-17 · how these are computed

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Publisher

South China Morning Post · 3509 article(s) · 6 correction(s) detected

Running correction rate · 6 correction(s)

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Topics

Bolivia South American Tilcayo

Subjects

Bolivia GPE · 3× South American NORP · 1×

Narrative

New cat species identified in Bolivia, first in over a century The Tilcayo is part of a group of South American tiger cats and was found in the lush Yungas cloud forest A diminutive wild cat that inhabits Bolivia’s cloud forest has been identified as a previously unknown species, marking the first time a new living cat species has been formally named and described in more than a century. The cat, called Tilcayo by local communities, is part of a group called tiger cats found across much of South America.

framing: mixed · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-09-17

2026-09-17 · South China Morning Post

New cat species identified in Bolivia, first in over a century · mixed framing

Claims (4 extracted, 1 hedged)

cat → identify → America

It was found in Bolivia’s lush Yungas forest, a mountainous region where forests are often covered by clouds and surrounded by high humidity, according to researchers. uncertain

forests → find → researchers

It measures about 18 inches (46cm) long and weighs around three pounds (1.4 kg), making it smaller than the average domestic cat. asserted

it → measure → cat

Researchers used genetic data to confirm that the cat is a new species and gave it the scientific name Leopardus tilcayo, retaining its local name. asserted

cat → use → name