Where Pumas Roam: The Keepers of Torres del Paine

In this episode of Rewildology, I take you into the heart of Torres del Paine National Park, where I had my breathtaking first encounter with Rupestre, a "queen of the Andes." Join me as I explore how these magnificent apex predators have become a conservation success story in Chilean Patagonia, thriving where they're often persecuted elsewhere. I sit down with Nicolás Lagos from Panthera to uncover groundbreaking discoveries about puma social behavior that challenge everything we thought we knew about these "solitary" cats. Then I visit Estancia Cerro Guido, where innovative solutions like livestock guardian dogs are transforming traditional ranching practices and proving that conservation and human livelihoods can flourish together. This episode reveals how Torres del Paine is pioneering the coexistence model that could reshape predator conservation worldwide. Discover how you can support Project Patagonia and be part of our conservation efforts in this remarkable landscape. What was your main takeaway from the episode? Let me know on YouTube or through Rewildology’s social channels! Thanks for listening! SERIES TITLE Where the Wild Calls: A Journey through Patagonia's Route of Parks TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction: A Puma Encounter 02:09 Welcome to Episode 2 of Where the Wild Calls 02:26 Exploring Torres del Paine National Park 06:31 Interview with Nicolas Lagos from Panthera 09:07 Revolutionary Puma Behavior Discoveries 13:55 Puma-rancher conflict 15:29 Panthera’s Puma Coexistence Program 18:43 Fostering pride for pumas 21:26 Visit to Cerro Guido 29:00 Conclusion: The Future of Puma Coexistence in Patagonia 30:46 Join the Adventure: Project Patagonia LEARN MORE ABOUT PROJECT PATAGONIA https://rewildology.com/projectpatagonia/ REWILDOLOGY FIELD EXPEDITIONS Where 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! May / June Path of the Puma by Jim Williams: https://rewildology.com/rewildology-book-club/ SHOW NOTES & NEWSLETTER Show notes & subscribe to newsletter, https://rewildology.com/ SUPPORT REWILDOLOGY https://rewildology.com/support-the-show/ FOLLOW REWILDOLOGY YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Rewildology Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rewildology/