Man finds kitten in Bolivia, later identified as previously unknown wild cat species

A man in Bolivia thinks he has found a stray kitten, but wildlife experts later identify the animal as a new species of wild cat. The discovery reports that the cat is smaller than an average domestic housecat.

The outlets describe how the animal’s appearance initially leads to the “kitten” assumption, before further study places it among wild felids. The reporting from both outlets focuses on the surprise element of the find and the biological significance of recognizing a distinct species. While the sources agree on the basic event and outcome, they provide limited additional detail beyond the identification and its relative size.

The core context is that new species discoveries in the region often begin with unusual sightings, after which researchers examine physical characteristics and other evidence to determine whether the animal represents an already known species or something new. In this case, the final determination is that it is a previously unrecognized wild cat.