Typical day in search of pumas in the National Park of Torres del Paine

A typical day in search of pumas in the National Park of Torres del Paine is organized around the habits of these big cats and the recent observations of our local guide.

Pumas usually hunt at night or just before dawn. Sometimes a female puma is seen hunting during the day to feed her cubs. The action of a puma attacking a guanaco is very quick, so you must be fully prepared to photograph the scene. As pumas do not feed on their prey immediately, there are good opportunities to observe them walking away peacefully and going to their dens. In general, pumas are very shy vis-à-vis observers that they spot intuitively. During the last hours of the night we patrol the mountains in 4×4 vehicles, trying to spot signs of pumas and being very attentive to the cries of guanacos, which are characteristic when they detect a danger.

Once a puma has captured and killed a guanaco, it covers the carcass with grass and bush and then abandons it. It usually comes back the next night or later in the day if he is really hungry. It is, therefore, also possible to find a puma in daylight, finishing its feeding on a carcass.

Generally speaking, it is necessary to first find guanacos in order to find pumas. This search occupies a significant part of the day, scrutinizing the hills with binoculars from the 4×4 or after a short hike. Condors patrolling the sky also provide clues as they search for carcasses. When they discover one, they dive on it and feed at an extraordinary pace, which gives the opportunity to take breath-taking pictures. It may also be the opportunity to observe Patagonian foxes that have followed the puma or have spotted the condors circling.

It is worth remembering that weather in Patagonia changes quickly. Rain and/or strong winds can occur in a few moments. If this happens shelter must be thought swiftly (standing is not possible when the wind blows strongly) and cameras must be protected. Paradoxically, pumas are particularly fond of storms to chase guanacos as the wind covers the scent and noise of their approach!

Patagonia is a region that presents challenges for the photographer. Pumas remain furtive and mysterious big cats but to have a chance of coming across one of these felines and looking into their huge eyes is an experience that fully justifies the adventure!