Two domestic guinea-pigs (Cavia porcellus), bought in Pinheiros, São Paulo State, Brazil, were taken by their owners a farm in the rural district of Capão Bonito, close to the Atlantic Forest, São Paulo, where they both developed tumour-like and ulcerating lesions on the ears. The causative agent was identified as Leishmania (L.) enriettii, based on biological characters and isoenzyme profiles. Sources of the parasite in wild mammals, and the possible sandfly vector species discussed.