A tiny spotted cat from Bolivia’s Yungas forest has changed what scientists thought they knew about South America’s tiger cats. Named Leopardus tilcayo, this newly recognized species is believed to be the first new living feline species formally described in more than a century. With its secretive life, limited known population, and habitat threatened by deforestation, the tilcayo’s discovery also raises important questions about what else may still be hiding in the wild.

Discover the rusty-spotted cat, one of the world's smallest wild cats. Learn where it lives, what it eats, its behavior, threats, conservation status, and how you can help protect it.

Panthera is the leading organization protecting all 40 wild cat species and their habitats. Founded in 2006 by Dr. Alan Rabinowitz and Dr. Thomas S. Kaplan, it runs science-based programs for tigers, lions, jaguars, and many smaller cats across more than 30 countries. Key efforts include Tigers Forever and the Jaguar Corridor Initiative. Results show population gains in priority landscapes through anti-poaching, community work, and habitat protection.

Jaguarundis are one of the most overlooked wild cats in the Americas. In this post, you will learn what makes them unique, where they live, how they hunt, and why they matter for conservation.

Meet the ocelot, a spotted wild cat of the Americas, and learn why habitat, safe roads, and responsible choices matter to its future in the wild each day.

From the mighty lion to the elusive snow leopard, the Felidae family is one of nature's most extraordinary success stories. This comprehensive guide explores all the wild cat species across the globe — their habitats, behaviors, and the remarkable traits that make each one unique.