Patagonia: Puma Expedition

In July of 2024, I joined Lucas Bustamante and Nicolas Devos of Savia Foundation an expedition to Torres del Paine, Chilean Patagonia, tracking and documenting wild pumas on foot through one of the world’s most iconic wild landscapes.

The park is home to a stable population of pumas, including Petaka, a well-known female recognized for her resilience and maternal strength. Watching her guide her cubs through the rugged terrain highlighted a hard truth: survival here is a constant negotiation, not just for the cats, but for the people who share this landscape.

Historically, pumas were viewed as livestock threats, and local ranchers saw them as competitors to be eliminated. But in recent years, a growing ecotourism industry has shifted these dynamics. Landowners have found that live pumas are worth far more than dead ones, as global travelers now come to Torres del Paine specifically for the chance to see these predators in their natural environment. This shift has driven a broader cultural change, with former hunters now working as trackers and guides, earning steady incomes while supporting conservation.

This model — where economic incentives align with ecological preservation — is exactly the kind of systems thinking we need to replicate elsewhere. It’s not just about protecting individual animals, but about redefining the relationship between people, predators, and place. It’s a testament to the power of local ownership and the tangible benefits of conservation done right.

Walking these landscapes with Lucas and Nicolas, both of whom have dedicated their lives to bridging science, storytelling, and practical conservation, reinforced my commitment to this kind of grounded, locally-led work. It’s a reminder that conservation isn’t something that happens from a distance — it’s messy, physical, and deeply human.