Tiny wild cat newly identified as a species draws curious visitors in Bolivia

COROICO, Bolivia (AP) — A tiny wild cat hidden away in the cloud forests of Bolivia has become an unlikely tourist attraction, drawing a stream of visitors hoping for a glimpse of the animal that scientists have identified as a brand new species.

There is just one problem: Tigrino, as he has been affectionately dubbed, doesn’t like the attention.

The small, spotted feline with large, leopardlike spots is easily stressed, so caretakers at the wildlife sanctuary near La Paz keep him out of public view, turning away the crowds eager for a closer look. When The Associated Press visited Sunday, Tigrino cautiously emerged from his shelter, sniffed the air and paced around for a few minutes before slipping back into the foliage.

Tigrino belongs to Leopardus tilcayo, the first living wild cat species described by scientists in more than a century. At just 18 inches (46 centimeters) from head to the base of his tail and 3 pounds (1.4 kilograms), he is smaller than the average house cat.

The discovery published Thursday in the journal Current Biology set off a flurry of excitement on social media. Visitors from across Bolivia and beyond have flocked to the Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary, where Tigrino has lived since 2017, when a family brought him there after trying unsuccessfully to make a house cat of him.

“Tigrino has become, in just a few days, an ambassador for conservation,” said sanctuary co-founder Marcelo Levy, adding that the new species designation has helped raise awareness about the need to protect wild cats and their habitat in Bolivia’s tropical forests.

“He’s such a tiny animal, and he has become something so important,” Levy said.

A small spotted wild cat identified as a new species, Leopardus tilcayo, stands inside Senda Verde wildlife sanctuary in Bolivia's Yungas region, near Coroico, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

A small spotted wild cat identified as a new species, Leopardus tilcayo, rests inside Senda Verde wildlife sanctuary in Bolivia's Yungas region near Coroico, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

A small spotted wild cat identified as a new species, Leopardus tilcayo, rests inside Senda Verde wildlife sanctuary in Bolivia's Yungas region near Coroico, Bolivia, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

A small spotted wild cat identified as a new species, Leopardus tilcayo, walks inside Senda Verde wildlife sanctuary in Bolivia's Yungas region, near Coroico, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

A small spotted wild cat identified as a new species, Leopardus tilcayo, walks inside Senda Verde wildlife sanctuary in Bolivia's Yungas region, near Coroico, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers haven’t won more than five in a row all year. It hasn’t stopped them from setting a single-season franchise record for victories.

Milwaukee broke the mark it set last season on Sunday night, smothering the Baltimore Orioles 3-0 to improve to 98-58.

“We haven’t had these streaks of greatness,” manager Pat Murphy said. “We haven’t put it all together.”

Even without rattling off an extended run, the Brewers have the best record in the majors. They’ve already clinched their fourth consecutive NL Central title and will make their eighth postseason appearance in nine years. Twice in that span they've advanced to the NLCS, including last year, but they have not reached the World Series since 1982.

Milwaukee completed its ninth series sweep of the season while receiving help from all over the roster. The Brewers stole four bases, got a stellar diving catch from center fielder Garrett Mitchell in the seventh inning and had seven pitchers combine on a four-hit shutout for the record-setting victory with six games left.

“It means a lot,” said pitcher Jacob Misiorowski (15-5, 1.86 ERA), who gave up a hit and struck out four in three innings in an abbreviated start designed to manage his workload.

“It’s always a big deal to set a new record, a franchise record at that. Hopefully, we get a few more and get to a little bigger number.”

Milwaukee enters the final week of the season two games ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the best record in the NL and needs only one more victory or an Atlanta loss to lock up a bye into the division series.

“It’s hard to be in this spot to begin with, and I don’t think it’s appreciated enough,” Murphy said. “I think people don’t realize how hard it is for any of the 30 teams to put themselves in this position, and that’s what makes me proud of these guys. We’re not the oldest team, we’re not the most experienced, we’re not the most talented. We’re not the most a lot of things, but for sure they’ve proven they’re a team.”

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski (32) delivers a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Trevor Megill (29) and Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras, right, celebrate their win against the Baltimore Orioles in a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026 ,in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Jackson Chourio is safe on a steal as Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jeremiah Jackson (82) tags in the eighth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

Milwaukee Brewers designated hitter Christian Yelich loses his bat as he swings against the Baltimore Orioles in the fourth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy, left, walks to the dugout after a pitching change against the Baltimore Orioles in the seventh inning of a baseball game on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026 in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)