A young puma hit by a car, the disturbing incident occurred last Saturday in Lanín National Park, where a vehicle collided with the animal on Provincial Route No. 60.
Fortunately, and against all initial odds, the majestic feline, after remaining lying down and apparently motionless for a while, managed to get up on its own and return to the safety of the forest.
Immediate reaction and emergency protocol for the young puma hit by a car
The incident occurred when the animal was trying to cross the road and was hit by the vehicle.
After the impact, and concerned about the situation, the driver immediately stopped the vehicle.
The driver, showing remarkable responsibility, notified the ranger at Tromen Station, who quickly responded to the accident site.
Once there, the ranger secured the area and activated the rigorous action protocol established for these cases of injured wildlife.
It is important to highlight that the vehicle driver remained by the feline’s side at all times, demonstrating his commitment to the situation.
Meanwhile, immediate contact was made with wildlife veterinarians, the CEAN (Center for Applied Ecology of Neuquén), and conservation personnel from Lanín National Park.
The purpose of this coordination was to evaluate the steps to follow in the most appropriate way to ensure the animal’s safety and that of the personnel involved.
Critical decisions and remote monitoring
Due to the particularity of the incident, which occurred at night, and considering that seducing and subsequently transferring a puma in those conditions pose a high risk to both the animal’s integrity and the safety of the involved personnel, a remote monitoring strategy was chosen.
This decision aimed to minimize any additional stress or danger that a direct intervention could cause at that moment.
Consequently, the ranger from Río Turbio station remained at the site, in constant observation, until the young puma hit by a car fully regained its mobility and could return to the depth of the forest.
In the days following the incident, Lanín National Park staff conducted extensive patrols in the accident area, looking for any signs regarding the feline’s condition, but fortunately, no new developments were reported, suggesting a possible recovery of the specimen.
An urgent call for road awareness in protected areas
The administration of Lanín National Park has reiterated a serious alert regarding the increasing frequency of wildlife roadkills.
These incidents represent a significant threat to the region’s biodiversity and are a clear signal of the need for greater awareness on the part of drivers.
In this context, the Park emphasizes the crucial importance of respecting the maximum speeds allowed within protected areas.
This seemingly simple measure is actually a determining factor that allows drivers to anticipate the possible crossing of animals on the road, providing the necessary time to react and prevent accidents.
Furthermore, the community and visitors were reminded of the guidelines for responding to an accident or the discovery of run over or injured wildlife: under no circumstances should the animal be touched.
If found on the road, the correct action is to signal the place to alert other drivers and immediately notify Park Rangers or relevant authorities. For emergencies, the ICE Lanín emergency telephone is 02944 201-809.
This incident with the young puma hit by a car highlights the delicate coexistence between wildlife and human activity in protected natural environments, calling for shared responsibility to preserve these valuable ecosystems.
