New cat species identified in Bolivia for first time in more than a century
A tiny wild cat living in Bolivia's cloud forests has been formally named as a new species, the first new living feline species described in more than a century. How the discovery was made, and what it means for the cat's survival, is where the accounts diverge.
Written by Roundtablefrom 2 outlets' reporting
01What happened
A small wild cat in Bolivia's Yungas cloud forest has been identified as a previously unknown species, Leopardus tilcayo, retaining its local name 'tilcayo'. It is smaller than an average domestic cat, measuring about 46cm (18in) long and weighing about 1.4kg (3lbs), with light brown fur and irregularly shaped rosettes. The identification is based on DNA analysis of 38 tiger cats sampled across South American countries. Tiger cats, found across much of South America, were previously considered a single species and are described as cryptic, meaning they cannot easily be distinguished by appearance alone. Researchers say little is known about the cat's biology and lifestyle; remains of small rodents in scat samples suggest they may form part of its diet, and camera-trap evidence indicates it could be more active at night. The study describing the species was published in the journal Current Biology.
The facts every outlet at this table agrees on.
02Every voice
One entry per outlet, in the order they should be read. Each links back to the reporting it was drawn from — check any of it.
Al Jazeera English
Read the original· aljazeera.comHow they framed it
Al Jazeera leads with the discovery itself and the scientific method behind it, emphasising the genetic finding and the cat's physical description, with less focus on conservation status.
In their words
A previously unknown tiger cat species, Leopardus tilcayo, has been identified in Bolivia's Yungas cloud forests, marking the first new living feline species formally described in over a century. The cat was confirmed through DNA analysis of 38 tiger cats across South America, which revealed tiger cats comprise five genetically distinct species. The report quotes Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz describing the fur as 'light brown ... with irregularly shaped rosettes across its body', and Jonas Lescroart explaining that tiger cats are 'cryptic species' that cannot easily be distinguished by appearance.
The Guardian
Read the original· theguardian.comHow they framed it
The Guardian gives more detail on the genetic divergence timeline, the number of live individuals examined, and the conservation process, including IUCN implications and a new subspecies described in Peru.
In their words
Genetic analysis revealed that tiger cats actually comprise five distinct species, with the Tilcayo lineage diverging about 1.4 million years ago. The team also described a new tiger cat subspecies in Peru and shared their findings with the IUCN, which may lead to the Tilcayo being classified as endangered. Lescroart said: 'Our information at this moment is limited to the two live individuals that we examined, and a small number of camera-trap records.' One of the live cats is a 10-year-old male that now lives in the Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary after being kept by a local family in their home.
03Where they differ
The two outlets agree on the core facts: the species, its name, its size, the DNA analysis of 38 cats, and the five-species finding. They differ in emphasis. Al Jazeera focuses on the discovery and the cat's basic biology, while The Guardian adds more detail on the genetic divergence timeline (about 1.4 million years ago), the limited number of live individuals examined (two), the IUCN process, and a new subspecies described in Peru. Al Jazeera does not mention the IUCN, the subspecies, the number of live cats, or the divergence date; The Guardian includes these elements. Neither outlet contradicts the other's facts.
Described, not adjudicated. Roundtable does not tell you which account is right.
04Still open
- How many tilcayo cats exist in the wild, and what is their conservation status?
- What are the full details of the new tiger cat subspecies described in Peru?
- Will the IUCN formally classify the tilcayo as endangered, and what would that mean for protection efforts?
- What more can be learned about the cat's diet, behaviour, and habitat range beyond the limited evidence from scat and camera traps?
