Cat Out of the Cloud
By Sarah Perez and Doyun Keum Nov. 4, 2026
Barely larger than a housecat, a small feline hides behind spots so effective that trail cameras struggle to capture it. At night, it prowls Bolivia’s Yungas cloud forests, even going on noodle-munching and identity fraud side quests. After centuries of slipping past science, a tiny spotted “tiger cat” is now formally recognized as Leopardus tilcayo—the first new cat species discovered in over a century.
The tilcayo is smaller than a typical domestic cat, weighing about three pounds and measuring 18 inches long, per Current Biology. Its light-brown fur is covered in large rosettes, or spots, with a longer, thicker tail than a regular tiger cat. The cat is not new to locals—“tilcayo” comes from the name native communities used long before its discovery. Researchers found that the tilcayo hunts small animals and is likely nocturnal. However, with only two tilcayos studied, many characteristics are still unknown, including their diet, population and predators.
According to Bolivian biologist Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz, the tilcayo was discovered by chance. A man mistook the kitten for a housecat after finding it on the road, feeding it noodles, eggs and rice for a year. When it continued to hunt small vertebrates, the man then brought the tilcayo to the Senda Verde wildlife sanctuary.
Workers at Senda Verde initially misidentified the tilcayo as a Leopardus tigrinus, a closely related species. . Current Biology now recognizes five species within the genus, one of which is Leopardus tilcayo. The tilcayo diverged as a separate species about 1.4 million years ago—an evolutionary distance that now raises urgent concerns over its true population size and legal protection.
“The gene pool is actually smaller than what was previously estimated, which alters the calculation of genetic diversity. Small populations are more vulnerable to endangerment because they cannot interbreed, so conservation efforts must be tailored to the individual species,” Moumita Biswas, Science Department, said.
James Sanderson, founder of the Small Wild Cat Conservation foundation, emphasizes that past conservation strategies are now outdated. Previous protection efforts relied on calculations mistaking the population size and needs of five separate species as if they were one. Additionally, the Yungas cloud forest is one of Bolivia’s most endangered biomes; constantly deforested for coca farming and illegal gold mining, the species’ population size has decreased by 63% in recent millenia.
The tilcayo’s discovery catapulted it into fame; Senda Verde received a donation of $150,000, a suspicious call from a drug-producing region of Bolivia and even an offer to buy the tilcayo. Nogales-Ascarrunz only hopes its popularity will inspire greater interest in environmental conservation. To protect its habitat, the Mining Administrative Jurisdiction is requiring pre-existing mining concessions in Coroico, Bolivia to obtain environmental licenses under the 2014 Mining and Metallurgy Law. Meanwhile, 12 local communities are finalizing a management plan to secure state protection for the 6,200-hectare Rio Negro Reserve, per EL PAÍS.
“The tilcayo’s discovery makes our current knowledge seem small. Public attention does not always equate to support; people who learn about the tilcayo may not do much to protect its habitat. Its exotic appeal may even put it under greater risk,” Junior June Gray said.
The tilcayo suggests that there are still animals out there that scientists have not discovered yet. Its discovery also raises questions about how many species have been overlooked because they look similar to known animals. As a result of DNA testing and help from local communities, scientists might be able to find many more previously unknown species before they disappear forever.
About the Contributors
Sarah Perez
Opinions and Investugative Report Page Editor
Sarah Perez is a junior and the page editor for the Opinions and Investigative Report sections of The Charger Account. She enjoys zoning out in nature and reading to understand the small ideas and observations that others have. :)
Doyun Keum
Staff Writer
Doyun Keum is a freshman at Leland High School who used to live in South Korea who moved to the U.S. in October of 2025. When not hanging out with his friends, he can be found texting on his phone, playing sports, watching movies, or doing homework.
Cindy Lu
Artist
Cindy Lu is currently a sophomore at Leland High School, and is focused on creating artworks for The Charger Account. She claims that, if not for her "crippling gambling addiction," she could be much more productive. She is usually seen out on walks, hanging out with friends, or at a boba shop.
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