Meets the secretive apex predator of Patagonia in South America. On foot!
It is advisable for photographers to watch wild animals from a vehicle, a boat or a solid hide. But there is one big cat that has recently shown surprising tolerance to people on foot: the puma. Not everywhere though, just in southern Patagonian Chile! So embarking on a photographic adventure with the puma meant that I would probably be facing it from close quarters on foot, which was exciting but scary!
Known by many names in America (puma, cougar, mountain lion, and catamount) the puma is a cat species with a very long range, stretching from Alaska to southern Chile. Like the leopard it is a very adaptive cat, inhabiting cold climates, hot deserts, equatorial forests and even the famous flooded Pantanal. Wherever it is found, it has several enemies: brown bears, black bears, wolves, wolverines, and jaguars. And in places such as farmlands, where these other apex predators are few, the species has to coexist with humans. It is a tough existence, and much energy is needed to avoid these numerous threats. Of course, the puma has been studied by scientists but as it is with any elusive animal, there is always much we do not know.
Denne historien er fra September 2017-utgaven av Sanctuary Asia.
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Denne historien er fra September 2017-utgaven av Sanctuary Asia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Why Children Are Needed To Help Save The World
On my very first day in India, I encountered many marvelous new customs not practiced in the United States, my home country. But the most curious by far involved trees. Here and there, alongside the roaring streets of Mumbai were rings of marigold wreathed around twisting banyan trunks like dried rays of afternoon sunlight…
Who's Who?
Fact: all toads are frogs, but not all frogs are toads! Let’s unpack this...
The Sea Raptor
The White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster is one of the most common raptors along the Indian coastline. Nevertheless, the sight of this soaring, broad-winged, white and black bird of prey is nothing less than majestic
Bringing Up Bob Hoots.
While we were visiting a friend’s farm in the village of Yelachetty, near Bandipur Tiger Reserve, we found Spotted Owlets nesting on the tiled roof… and one of the chicks on the kitchen floor!
Yala, Land Of The Leopard
Yala is not only Sri Lanka’s second-largest, but also the most-visited national park in the island nation.
The Wizards Of Oz!
Australia is not only a country, but also a continent. The land down under, cut-off from the rest of the world has an abundance of unique species of native animals, birds, reptiles, insects and plants.
Scales & Tails
I was really excited and looking forward to the workshop on reptiles and amphibians at Nature’s Nest in Mollem, Goa, between June 24 and 26, 2017. It was my opportunity to meet renowned herpetologist Varad Giri.
Big, Brilliant And Endangered
When one thinks of elephants, the first word that probably comes to mind is BIG! But elephants, while they may be the largest creatures on land, are not just big and powerful, they’re wise and sensitive as well. Recent scientific studies have established that they are among the most intelligent animals in the world.
Earth Manners
Everyday habits matter! Let’s be kind to the planet, animals and ourselves!
World Scan
CHINA’S IVORY TOWNAn explosive investigation by the Environmental Investigation Agency has revealed how criminal gangs originating from an obscure town in southern China have come to dominate the smuggling of ivory tusks poached from African elephants.
