How new is the first ‘new-to-science’ cat discovered in more than 100 years?

KUALA LUMPUR, 26 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

Malaysia’s biodiversity gains global recognition as scientists formally describe a new wild cat species, the first in over a century, with deep ties to Indigenous knowledge and conservation challenges

The tilcayo’s recognition follows decades of taxonomic ambiguity surrounding small spotted cats in the region, where researchers had previously grouped them under a single species, Leopardus tigrinus. Genetic analysis published in Current Biology on September 17 revealed that the tilcayo diverged from other tiger cats approximately 1.4 million years ago—a divergence older than the split between modern humans and Neanderthals—confirming it as a distinct species.

Unlike many recent feline discoveries, which stem from taxonomic reclassifications, the tilcayo represents a wholly new species that had never been formally documented.

The breakthrough began in 2017 when a Bolivian family brought a rescued kitten, named Tigrino, to the Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary near La Paz. Initially mistaken for a domestic cat, Tigrino’s wild behavior—including stalking chickens—prompted further investigation. Genetic testing on Tigrino and a single hair sample from another rehabilitated tilcayo confirmed its uniqueness.

The species measures just 1.4 kilograms (3 pounds), with rounded ears, a slender body, and a coat of large spots, distinguishing it from its relatives.

Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz, a National Geographic explorer and lead researcher at Bolivia’s Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, emphasized the significance of the discovery. "I have the honor of naming a cat, and that’s a really big thing," she told Mongabay, adding that the species name honors local knowledge. The tilcayo’s genetic distinctiveness—far greater than initially anticipated—highlights how poorly understood even seemingly familiar ecosystems remain.

The last living cat species formally described before the tilcayo was the Uruguayan pampas cat (Leopardus fasciatus) in 1923.

For Malaysia, where biodiversity conservation remains a priority amid rapid development, the tilcayo’s discovery serves as a reminder of the gaps in global taxonomic research. While Malaysia has documented its own feline species, including the critically endangered Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni), the tilcayo’s case illustrates how Indigenous communities often hold critical ecological knowledge that can inform conservation strategies.

The Bolivian example aligns with Malaysia’s efforts to integrate traditional wisdom into environmental policy, particularly in protected areas like the Yungas cloud forests, which mirror Malaysia’s own highland ecosystems in terms of biodiversity richness.

The tilcayo’s formal recognition also carries implications for conservation policy. As deforestation and habitat fragmentation threaten South America’s cloud forests—regions analogous to Malaysia’s Borneo highlands—the tilcayo’s survival depends on targeted protection measures. Nogales-Ascarrunz’s team has already begun collaborating with local communities to monitor the species, a model that could inform Malaysia’s own wildlife protection initiatives, particularly for lesser-known species in Sabah and Sarawak.

The discovery follows a broader trend in taxonomy, where advances in genetic analysis have revealed hidden biodiversity. In Malaysia, recent studies have similarly reclassified species, such as the Bornean flat-headed frog (Barbourula kalimantanensis), underscoring the need for continued scientific investment. The tilcayo’s story, however, stands out for its direct link to Indigenous terminology and the role of citizen science in uncovering new species—a collaboration that could inspire similar partnerships in Malaysia’s conservation efforts.

With the tilcayo now formally described, the next critical step is assessing its population status and habitat requirements. Nogales-Ascarrunz’s research team is expanding genetic sampling across the Yungas region to determine the species’ range and threats. For Malaysia, where wildlife trafficking and habitat loss remain persistent challenges, the tilcayo’s discovery serves as a case study in how scientific rigor and local knowledge can converge to protect vulnerable species before they vanish without documentation.

The last substantive development remains the publication of the species in Current Biology, marking the official recognition of a cat that had coexisted with humans for millennia—yet remained unseen by science until now.