{
  "id": 8189988,
  "title": "Mysterious Bolivian 'weird cat' recognized as new species, marking first discovered in over century",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/mysterious-bolivian-weird-cat-recognized-as-new-species-marking-first",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-18T06:36:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/omg/article-909025"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Scientists have identified a new species of wild cat found within Bolivia's cloud forests, marking the first new feline species discovered in over a century. The small, spotted cat, named Leopardus tilcayo, resides in the Yungas forest along the eastern slopes of the Andes. Its small size and dark leopard-like spots distinguish it from domestic cats. The cat's journey to being recognized as a distinct species began in 2016 when Bolivian biologist Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz received a report about an unusual kitten found by a local resident near a forest. Initially thought to be a domestic cat, its wild behavior led the resident to transfer it to a wildlife sanctuary. After extensive observations and genetic analysis, researchers found that this Bolivian cat possessed distinct markings and genetic differences from related tiger cats found in neighboring Brazil. The name Leopardus tilcayo pays homage to the traditional name used by people in the region. Isolated within the humid forest ecosystem of the Yungas, much about the species remains unknown. The discovery highlights the ongoing necessity of scientific exploration, even in familiar species, as there may still be unrecognized species in our midst.",
  "summary": "Its path to scientific recognition began in 2016, when Bolivian biologist Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz received a call from the Senda Verde wildlife sanctuary about what staff described as an unusual cat.",
  "key_points": [
    "New wild cat species Leopardus tilcayo discovered in Bolivia's cloud forests",
    "First new feline species found in over a century",
    "Cat's distinct markings and genetics differentiate it from related tiger cats"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The discovery of Leopardus tilcayo underscores the value of continued scientific exploration, even in well-studied ecosystems, as unknown species may still exist, particularly in isolated and less-explored regions.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News (US)",
        "title": "First new feline species in 100 years discovered in Bolivian forest",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/first-new-feline-species-in-100-years-discovered-in-bolivian-forest",
        "published": "2026-09-18T00:44:44.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}