Nici pisică, nici tigru: o nouă specie descoperită în pădurile din Bolivia

A new wild cat species, Leopardus tilcayo, has been identified in Bolivia, marking the first official description of a living wild feline in a century. This small cat, known locally as Tilcayo, inhabits the humid Yungas forests and weighs about 1.4 kg. Genetic analysis confirmed its distinct status, revealing it diverged from other tiger cats around 1.4 million years ago. Limited behavioral data suggests it may be nocturnal and feeds on rodents. The discovery highlights the need for conservation efforts, as its habitat faces significant threats from deforestation and agriculture. The findings also led to the identification of a new subspecies in Peru, emphasizing the ongoing need to protect biodiversity.