After more than 50 years, Neuquén has banned the sport hunting of pumas in the territory. The Ministry of Tourism of the province repealed articles 51 to 55 of the Big Game Hunting Regulations, which enabled the activity.
The regulation established a hunting season between June and September. From now on, it is suspended.
No more sport hunting of pumas in Neuquén
The Provincial Directorate of Fauna, Protected Natural Areas, and the Center of Applied Ecology of Neuquén (CEAN) reported that the Government is working on new regulations to ensure the sustainability and control of the activity.
Sport hunting of pumas has been prohibited.
“I was informed about a resolution that Fauna with Tourism had issued, so I instructed the minister to immediately repeal it. It was an overreach by Fauna, which enabled the hunting of pumas,” said Governor Rolando Figueroa in an interview with Diario Río Negro.
“It’s outrageous. As soon as I found out, I had it repealed,” he added. Thus, the Ministry of Tourism has voided articles 51 to 55 that enabled the major puma hunting season, from June 1st to September 30th, which established the conditions for the development of the activity.
The inclusion of pumas generated surprise in general. Initially, the Big Game Hunting Regulations of Neuquén included wild boars and deer, two exotic species of concern due to overpopulation and the ecological impact they produce.
But pumas belong to a native species, which caught the attention of animal protection associations and residents.
The provision allowed the hunting of “up to a maximum of ten adult puma specimens per season” in each area. It did not authorize the capture of adult females accompanied by their offspring. Additionally, it allowed the use of dogs for tracking pumas.
“The province is not promoting slaughter. Under Wildlife Law 2359 and its regulatory decree, the enforcement authority must regulate the population of species,” the provincial government also emphasized in a statement.
New regulations
The agency informed that they are working on the new hunting regulations of the province, which will be implemented before the start of the season.
For this year, a digital system for managing permits, field authorizations, and transport guides has been implemented, allowing for greater control and traceability of the activity.
Hunting regulated in the province is not publicly accessible or free. It can only be carried out in places authorized by the enforcement authority.
CEAN and provincial authorities work together with park rangers, technical teams, security forces, and environmental prosecutors to ensure compliance with current regulations.
In 2019, CEAN established a controlled carnivore hunting protocol, activated only in cases of attacks on livestock or breeding grounds, under strict conditions.
The enabling regulation has been repealed.
The recent Resolution 76/2025, issued by the Ministry of Tourism, reinforces this approach and aligns with the need to preserve biodiversity and ensure ecological balance in the Neuquén territory.
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