Tilcayo

A new species of cat has been discovered for the first time in a century. When National Geographic Explorer and biologist Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz first encountered the cat at a wildlife sanctuary in Bolivia a decade ago, she thought it belonged to the species Leopardus tigrinus. It wasn't until later that research and genetic analysis showed that the cat had its own distinct place on the family tree—and experts think that there may be more new species of small wild cats to discover around the world. Learn more about Leopardus tilcayo at the link in bio. Photographs by @fernando.faciole

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