A new wild cat in Bolivia.

Scientists have discovered a new species of wild cat. The cat lives in the dense forests high up in the mountains of Bolivia. Scientists discovered the previous new species of wild cat more than 100 years ago. People from that area have called this cat tilcayo for a long time.

The tilcayo is smaller than an ordinary house cat. It measures about 45 centimetres. It weighs less than one and a half kilograms. It has light brown fur with large dark spots and a long tail.

Scientists studied the DNA of more than 30 cats from South America. They also used old bones from museums. So they saw that the tilcayo is a separate species. This discovery delighted scientists around the world.

One tilcayo lives in a shelter for animals. In the past a family kept it at home as a pet. But the forests in Bolivia are disappearing fast, because people are cutting down the trees. So the tilcayo may be in danger.