Social media debates whether the discovery erases Indigenous knowledge
2 Sep 17 2:00 PM · 6d ago · 34 articles · 38 posts · 79 comments · 7 sources · development 2 of 5
Widely shared posts and comments note that Bolivian communities have long known and named the tilcayo, prompting criticism that framing it as newly 'discovered' overlooks that traditional knowledge, alongside other posts calling the story a legitimate collaboration between scientists and local communities.
“First world bias showing! Researcher says “No one else had named it. No one else had described it.” Then at the end a local says “my grandpa told me that’s the Tilcayo” Tsk tsk!”
deepchad.bsky.socialPaola Nogales-Ascarrunz Lead researcher, Bolivian Felid Research and Conservation ProgramTadeu de Oliveira Co-author, ecologist at State University of MaranhãoSenda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary Wildlife rehabilitation center near La Paz, BoliviaTigrino 10-year-old tilcayo cat at the center of public attention
The whole story articlesvideospostscomments the bright band is this development · numbered dots are the others · click one to jump
What was reported 1 claim about this development
-
first by Globe and Mail, 6d ago · also HN Frontpage, HN Best, The Hindu, Scientific American, Guardian Science, Guardian +9
11 more headlines
- The first new cat species discovered in 100 years HN Frontpage · 6d ago
- New cat species ‘Tilcayo’ identified in Bolivia, first in over a century The Hindu · 6d ago
- See the first new species of cat discovered in more than a century—it’s adorable Mastodon · 6d ago
- New cat species identified in Bolivia for first time in more than a century Mastodon · 6d ago
- New species of wild cat identified in Bolivia Sky News · 6d ago
- New cat species identified for the first time in more than a century The Independent · 6d ago
- New wild cat species identified for the first time in more than a century The Independent · 6d ago
- New cat species identified for first time in 100 years — it’s 3 pounds and looks like a mini leopard NY Post · 6d ago
- Leopardus tilcayo: Tiny cat discovered in Bolivia said to be 1st new feline species in over 100 years ABC7 Los Angeles · 6d ago
- Scientists Discover New Wild Cat Species for First Time in 100 Years Breitbart · 6d ago
- First new feline species in 100 years discovered in Bolivian forest ABC News · 6d ago
What people said 24 voices · best of 101 · verbatim
-
New cat species discovered in over 100 years Scientists have identified Leopardus tilcayo, a tiny wild cat found in Bolivia’s Yungas forests. The discovery began with a wildlife sanctuary reporting a “weird cat” and was later confirmed through genetic research
-
C
Beautiful. I hope someone keeps exotic and hybrid cat breeders and influencers the fuck away from them.
-
N
New cat just dropped :coolcat: https://www. nbcnews.com/science/environmen t/new-wild-cat-species-identified-rcna598113 https://www. nationalgeographic.com/animals /article/meet-the-first-new-cat-species-discovered-in-100-years # CatsOfMastodon # Cats
-
It's Leopardus tilcayo aka 'tilcayo tiger cat' and it's very cute. Wikipedia doesn't have a page dedicated to it yet.Bonus pics:
-
A new species of cat has been identified for the first time in a century—and experts think that there may be even more to discover around the world:
-
W
A new cat has been discovered in Bolivia, the first time in over a century that scientists have confirmed a new feline species. Named Leopardus tilcayo, the cat weighs roughly five pounds and has a light brown coat patterned with dark rosettes.
-
F
@ catsalad thought you might be interested to know https://www. nbcnews.com/science/environmen t/new-wild-cat-species-identified-rcna598113
-
Looks like a house cat, I am betting it's a matter of months before someone starts selling the crossbreds, like they do with Bengal.Also, they're only 3-4 lbs!
-
Scientists have discovered a new species of cat for the first time in over a century. Smaller than an average housecat and covered in leopard-like spots, the cat species — proposed name Leopardus tilcayo —lives in Bolivia’s Yungas forest ecoregion.
-
‘…that local communities in Bolivia have been aware of the species’ presence for generations. “This cat, they call it tilcayo. And when you ask, ‘Does it have some meaning in Quechua or Almyra and other Indigenous languages?’ they say, ‘No, …we didn’t want to give it another name.”’
-
T
New cat species has dropped # cat # cats https://www. scientificamerican.com/article /see-the-first-new-species-of-cat-discovered-in-more-than-a-century-its-adorable/
-
First world bias showing! Researcher says “No one else had named it. No one else had described it.” Then at the end a local says “my grandpa told me that’s the Tilcayo” Tsk tsk!
-
New cat species found, first new species of cat in 100 years:
-
Somebody's probably already figuring out a way to traffic it.
-
G
Big news 4 Mastodon: New cat species identified in Bolivia! It's beautiful AND it's smaller than the average domestic cat. https://www. theguardian.com/world/2026/sep /17/new-cat-species-identified-bolivia @ catsalad @ trickykat # Catstodon # CatsOfMastodon # Cats # Felines # CatNews
-
Ah fuck, now all the influencers will be rushing to Bolivia to sample blow and pick up a 3 pound tiger cat as the new must have pet accessory.
-
W
Bit early for Caturday, but here’s is a new little divil for you https://www. theguardian.com/world/2026/sep /17/new-cat-species-identified-bolivia # CatsOfMastodon
-
The good news is there's a chance that this cat could kill Logan Paul while he's sleeping
-
B
# tilcayotigercat # Bolivia # NewSpecies From NBC News.com: New wild cat species is identified for first time in 100 years, researchers say https://www. nbcnews.com/science/environmen t/new-wild-cat-species-identified-rcna598113
-
Never NOTICED by outsiders. "Local communities in Bolivia have been aware of the species’ presence for generations." “This cat, they call it Tilcayo. When you ask, ‘Does it have some meaning in Quechua or Almyra and other Indigenous languages?’ they say, ‘No, my grandpa told me that’s the Tilcayo."
-
D
I was reading about this new small cat species from Bolivia https://www. reuters.com/business/environme nt/new-cat-species-identified-bolivia-first-over-century-2026-09-17/ And I wondered if they could be domesticated until I was reminded by my partner that cats domesticate us, not the other way around. # Cats # CatsOfMastodon
-
Plea to Bolivia... keep the current American government away from your country. Protect this species.
-
C
New cat species identified for first time in more than a century in # Bolivia New # species of wild # feline was discovered in Bolivia’s Yungas forest that is smaller than the average domestic #cat. https://www. theguardian.com/world/2026/sep /17/new-cat-species-identified-bolivia # 142holdheap # wildLife # nature # conservation
-
I want one of these. Someone please make a life size plush toy of these guys so I can have one. That’s the only appropriate way to posses a wild animal. And I want to be really clear here, I absolutely do NOT mean a taxidermied animal, which tends to involve poaching, just fabric and fluff.
All 5 developments of New Bolivian cat species, 'Tigrino,' now draws tourists to… →
NewswiresMastodonRedditHacker NewsGoogle NewsBlueskyXYouTube