Patagonia - Wildlife
Culpeo (Red Fox)
These foxes were hanging out near the hotel for a few evenings. They were very playful and friendly!
Guanacos
Guanacos are an iconic animal of Chile. They live in groups and can be found grazing the arid open areas of Chile. They are also one of the main sources of food for Pumas in the region.
Pumas
Pumas are the apex predator of Chile. Their beauty and stealthiness is a sight to behold.
Rupestre
Rupestre is a female Puma. She was recently featured Predators (puma episode on Netfilx). This encounter was unexpected as we were not schedule to start tracking Pumas until a few days later.
Coirón
Coirón is another female in the area. The first encounter of her was shortly after she had made a kill on a guanaco. The next was very early in the morning when she came out of a bush very close to us. The dark pictures are from this encounter as it was so early in the morning with very little light. She took a few paces, turned to look directly at us and then went on her way.
Ginger
Ginger is the daughter of Rupestre above. She is also featured in the documentary when she was a cub.
Dania and her cubs
On this day we witnessed not only spending quality time with her cubs but also staking a guanaco. Patagonia is a harsh environment where each day is a battle. Unfortunately the two cubs were killed within a few weeks of when these pictures were taken. One by an accident with a car and the other by another male puma.
Virgo & Escarcha
Escarcha was one of four females present around the kill originally made by Coirón a few days prior. Over night Virgo (male) showed up and took over the kill. In the first picture below there are a total of four Pumas (Rupestre, Ginger, Escarcha and Virgo). Coirón was just out of frame. Escarcha slowly started inching closer to the kill until she got too close and Virgo came at her aggressively until she rolled over and submitted. This same dance took place many times until Virgo let her start eating from the kill. Even then he would come over aggressively to remind her he was still in control of the kill. It was truly an amazing experience to watch unfold.
