Tiny wild cat discovered as new species becomes tourist attraction in Bolivia
A family brought him to the sanctuary that year after failing to domesticate him as a house cat.
A tiny wild cat recently identified as a new species has become an unexpected attraction at a wildlife sanctuary in Bolivia, drawing visitors eager to see the rare animal.
But the feline, affectionately named Tigrino, is not comfortable with the sudden attention.
The small, spotted cat, which has large leopard-like markings, becomes stressed easily. As a result, caretakers at the sanctuary near La Paz keep him away from public view and limit visitors' access. During an Associated Press visit on Sunday, Tigrino briefly came out of his shelter, cautiously sniffed the air and moved around before disappearing into the surrounding vegetation.
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The cat belongs to the species Leopardus tilcayo, the first living wild cat species to be scientifically described in more than 100 years. Measuring about 18 inches (46 centimeters) from the head to the base of the tail and weighing roughly 3 pounds (1.4 kilograms), Tigrino is smaller than an average domestic cat.
The discovery, reported Thursday in the journal Current Biology, sparked widespread interest on social media. Visitors from different parts of Bolivia and other countries have since traveled to the Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary, where Tigrino has lived since 2017.
A family brought him to the sanctuary that year after failing to domesticate him as a house cat.
"Within just a few days, Tigrino has become an ambassador for conservation," said Marcelo Levy, co-founder of the sanctuary.
He said the recognition of the new species has increased public awareness of the importance of protecting wild cats and their natural habitats in Bolivia's tropical forests.
"He's such a small animal, but he has become something so significant," Levy said.
