Tiny new wild cat species becomes Bolivian tourist attraction, but Tigrino wants to hide
The small, spotted feline with large, leopardlike spots is easily stressed, so caretakers keep him out of public view.
A new, tiny wild cat species has emerged in Bolivia, becoming a surprising draw for tourists. The cat, named Tigrino, has been living at a wildlife sanctuary near La Paz since 2017. Measuring just 18 inches long and weighing 3 pounds, the spotted feline is significantly smaller than an average house cat. Scientists have recently identified Tigrino as Leopardus tilcayo, the first living wild cat species described by researchers in over a century.
While Tigrino's discovery has generated excitement and interest in conservation efforts, the cat himself is not fond of the attention. Sanctuary caretakers keep him out of public view to minimize stress, allowing him to return to his natural habitat when not on display.
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- Tiny wild cat newly identified as a species draws curious visitors in Bolivia winnipegfreepress.com
