The first new cat species discovered in 100 years
Biologist Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz discovered a new species of wild cat in Bolivia after investigating a 'weird cat' brought to a wildlife sanctuary. Genetic and physical analysis confirmed it is the first new felid species identified in over 100 years.
Why it matters
The discovery of a new mammal species is a rare and significant event in the field of zoology and biodiversity conservation.
In 2017, Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz , a biologist and National Geographic Explorer working in Bolivia, received a call from a local wildlife sanctuary that had just been given what they described as “a weird cat.” It came from a local man who found it as a kitten on a road near a forest. The man took the animal home, believing it to be a domestic breed. But after about a year of living with the clearly wild animal, he realized it would be better off at a sanctuary.
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