Chester Zoo scientists help confirm discovery of new wild cat species in Bolivia

A new wild cat species, Leopardus tilcayo, has been scientifically described for the first time in a century, with Chester Zoo conservationists playing a key role in its identification through their Andean Carnivore Conservation Project. The small feline, known locally as tilcayo, was initially mistaken for an oncilla tiger cat but genomic analysis confirmed it is genetically distinct and deserves protection in its Bolivian cloud forest habitat.