Bizarre & wonderful · Earlier selection
DNA puts a Bolivian forest cat in a species of its own
Researchers have identified Leopardus tilcayo as a distinct wild-cat species native to Bolivia’s Yungas cloud forest.
The National Geographic Society reports that genetic work on living animals and museum specimens separates South America’s tiger cats into five species. Its 18 September announcement describes the newly identified Bolivian cat. Our illustration imagines a forest cat; it is not a photograph or a reconstruction of this species.
GO TO THE SOURCE
National Geographic Society ↗ (opens a new tab)Research-supporting institution’s announcement. Only factual findings are reported independently; no publisher photographs, quotations or article text reused.
AI-assisted original summary, checked against the linked source on 19 Sept 2026, 15:48 BST. Illustration is AI generated and does not document the event.
Report an error or rights concern