EPISODE · Oct 1, 2025 · 59 MIN
#214 | Illuminating Coexistence: The Blink+A Story with Nicolás Lagos and Javiera de la Fuente
from Rewildology · host Brooke Mitchell
Join host Brooke Mitchell as she speaks with puma researcher Nicolas Lagos and conservation technologist Javiera de la Fuente about revolutionizing human-wildlife coexistence with Blink+A, an innovative deterrent device combining flashing lights, sounds, and IoT connectivity to protect livestock and carnivores. From selling a wildlife photography book to fund their idea to testing weatherproof devices across ranches from the US to Saudi Arabia, this unlikely collaboration between a Patagonian field biologist and Santiago digital designer shows how conservation technology can address predator-livestock conflict. Named after a one-eyed puma from Torres del Paine, Blink+A demonstrates open-source innovation in wildlife management, promoting peaceful coexistence between ranching communities and endangered carnivores like pumas, jaguars, and bears. Support the $25,000 fundraiser to expand Blink+A testing globally at givebutter.com/projectpatagonia. TIMESTAMPS0:00 Introduction & Project Overview1:45 Meet Nico & Javi2:25 Nico's Background - From Santiago to Patagonia Pumas4:40 Javi's Story - From Nintendo to Conservation Tech7:35 The Problem: Century-Old Human-Wildlife Conflict12:45 Designing Blink+A: Deterrent 2.016:25 15 Prototypes and Counting19:30 Learning to Prototype on a Budget22:55 Funding Through Puma Photography Book26:15 Why This Device Works: Predator Biology30:50 The Human Element: Working with Ranchers36:35 Rancher Feedback: Virtual Fences Concept38:25 Technical Details: Lights, Sounds & Sensors42:10 PIR Sensors & Customizable Components45:10 Current Status & Next Phase47:50 What Success Means to Each of Them51:30 How Blink+A Got Its Name53:25 The One-Eyed Puma: Blinka's Story54:35 Final Thoughts & Advice57:10 Call to Action & Fundraiser58:25 Outro & Expedition Information LEARN MORE ABOUT PROJECT PATAGONIAhttps://rewildology.com/projectpatagonia/ REWILDOLOGY FIELD EXPEDITIONSWhere The Wild Calls: Patagonia Puma Expedition & Torres Del Paine Adventure, March 31 - April 6, 2026: https://rewildology.com/patagoniaexpedition/ JOIN THE REWILDOLOGY BOOK CLUB. IT’S FREE!September/October Book - Crossings by Ben Goldfarb https://rewildology.com/rewildology-book-club/ SHOW NOTES & NEWSLETTERShow notes & subscribe to newsletter, https://rewildology.com/ SUPPORT REWILDOLOGYhttps://rewildology.com/support-the-show/ FOLLOW REWILDOLOGYYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RewildologyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rewildology/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rewildology/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rewildologyX: https://x.com/rewildology SPONSORSHIPS & BRAND PARTNERSHIPSSend your ideas to Brooke at [email protected]
What this episode covers
Join host Brooke Mitchell as she speaks with puma researcher Nicolas Lagos and conservation technologist Javiera de la Fuente about revolutionizing human-wildlife coexistence with Blink+A, an innovative deterrent device combining flashing lights, sounds, and IoT connectivity to protect livestock and carnivores. From selling a wildlife photography book to fund their idea to testing weatherproof devices across ranches from the US to Saudi Arabia, this unlikely collaboration between a Patagonian field biologist and Santiago digital designer shows how conservation technology can address predator-livestock conflict. Named after a one-eyed puma from Torres del Paine, Blink+A demonstrates open-source innovation in wildlife management, promoting peaceful coexistence between ranching communities and endangered carnivores like pumas, jaguars, and bears. Support the $25,000 fundraiser to expand Blink+A testing globally at givebutter.com/projectpatagonia. TIMESTAMPS0:00 Introduction & Project Overview1:45 Meet Nico & Javi2:25 Nico's Background - From Santiago to Patagonia Pumas4:40 Javi's Story - From Nintendo to Conservation Tech7:35 The Problem: Century-Old Human-Wildlife Conflict12:45 Designing Blink+A: Deterrent 2.016:25 15 Prototypes and Counting19:30 Learning to Prototype on a Budget22:55 Funding Through Puma Photography Book26:15 Why This Device Works: Predator Biology30:50 The Human Element: Working with Ranchers36:35 Rancher Feedback: Virtual Fences Concept38:25 Technical Details: Lights, Sounds & Sensors42:10 PIR Sensors & Customizable Components45:10 Current Status & Next Phase47:50 What Success Means to Each of Them51:30 How Blink+A Got Its Name53:25 The One-Eyed Puma: Blinka's Story54:35 Final Thoughts & Advice57:10 Call to Action & Fundraiser58:25 Outro & Expedition Information LEARN MORE ABOUT PROJECT PATAGONIAhttps://rewildology.com/projectpatagonia/ REWILDOLOGY FIELD EXPEDITIONSWhere The Wild Calls: Patagonia Puma Expedition & Torres Del Paine Adventure, March 31 - April 6, 2026: https://rewildology.com/patagoniaexpedition/ JOIN THE REWILDOLOGY BOOK CLUB. IT’S FREE!September/October Book - Crossings by Ben Goldfarb https://rewildology.com/rewildology-book-club/ SHOW NOTES & NEWSLETTERShow notes & subscribe to newsletter, https://rewildology.com/ SUPPORT REWILDOLOGYhttps://rewildology.com/support-the-show/ FOLLOW REWILDOLOGYYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RewildologyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rewildology/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rewildology/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rewildologyX: https://x.com/rewildology SPONSORSHIPS & BRAND PARTNERSHIPSSend your ideas to Brooke at [email protected]
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#214 | Illuminating Coexistence: The Blink+A Story with Nicolás Lagos and Javiera de la Fuente
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