All nature photography enthusiasts long for special encounters with wild and unique animals in the world, and felines have always, for some irrefutable reason, fascinated humans.
The Puma, the “Mountain Lion”
The puma is also known as the “Mountain Lion” and indeed, if you observe it carefully, it closely resembles lionesses and does not present sexual dimorphism, i.e. morphological differences between individuals of the same species but of opposite sex.
The Difficulty of Research in Patagonian Landscapes
Pumas are generally solitary animals, although occasionally, as has happened recently in some areas of Chile, it is possible to encounter 3-4 of them together, as happened to me. The area in question is a vast Patagonian steppe on the edge of the Torres del Paine National Park, south of the country, where the concentration of these cats is high, largely due to the abundant presence of guanacos, the puma’s main prey.
During the week of nature expedition, I had the privilege of being guided by Cristina, a Chilean girl who plays the role of Puma Tracker. Also being an international wildlife photographer, her experience was key in finding the animals and creating the right conditions to get the best photographs.
The first part of the day is dedicated to research and sightings, a demanding task in the immense steppes. During the day, pumas are generally not very active, and searching requires luck at the right time. Wind can further complicate observation, causing the binoculars to vibrate and making it easy to lose sight of the target, especially when looking at considerable distances.
Key Observations: Guanaco Behavior
The first thing to do is observe the behavior of the guanacos, since the presence of a group could indicate the proximity of a puma ready to lay an ambush. The lookout guanaco plays a crucial role, positioning itself on a raised surface and emitting an alarm sound if it detects the presence of cats nearby.
During one of the patrols, Cristina spotted a puma sunbathing on a cliff, and we managed to get closer to get some amazing photographs. Next, we witnessed an encounter between three pumas on different rocks, an exciting experience made possible by Cristina’s in-depth knowledge of the area.
The Mother Puma and her cub
During the expedition, we had other sightings, but nothing compared to the intensity of the first day. Over the course of the expedition, we had the opportunity to observe Dark, an adult puma, and the alpha puma of the area. His presence was unique, and his reserve made him difficult to observe.
The chapter of the pumas in Chile thus ends, a week that will remain etched in the memory as an extraordinary experience. Every encounter with these magnificent cats was a gift, a unique opportunity that made the journey not just an adventure, but a work of life.
