For the third consecutive year, WCS Argentina confirmed the presence of an Andean cat (Leopardus jacobita) in the department of Malargüe, Mendoza, less than 10 km from the boundary of the La Payunia Protected Natural Area.
Images from camera traps show the feline camouflaged in the rocky landscape, reinforcing the strategic value of the area for conserving this critically endangered species.
It is estimated that fewer than 2,200 specimens remain across the continent, distributed in the Andes of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.
Testimonials and science in action
Dr. María José Bolgeri, regenerative management manager at WCS Argentina, highlighted that each finding confirms the effectiveness of conservation efforts. In addition to scientific monitoring, testimonials from producers and residents are essential to understanding the distribution and threats to the species.
Main threats
The Andean cat faces multiple risks:
- Hunting by ranchers to prevent livestock losses.
- Roadkill on roads and highways.
- Reduction of prey such as the chinchillón.
- Habitat degradation due to hydrocarbons and mining.
- Impacts of climate change.
It is the only feline in the Endangered category in America according to the IUCN.
La Payunia: a natural refuge
With more than 665,000 hectares, La Payunia is one of the largest protected areas in Argentina. Its volcanic landscape is home to species such as the Andean condor, the puma, the choique, and the mara, in addition to being the setting for the largest guanaco migration globally.
Monitoring with camera traps allows for the collection of information on flora, fauna, and ecological conditions, strengthening the conservation of the area.
Coexistence strategies
WCS Argentina works with livestock producers to implement non-lethal deterrent techniques:
- Improvement of enclosure corrals.
- Use of protective dogs.
- Installation of night lights.
84% of those who adopt these practices reduce livestock losses, and 89% stop hunting carnivores and scavenger birds. This favors pasture regeneration and ecological balance.
Recent advances
In 2025, WCS Argentina, together with international organizations, donated 40,000 private hectares within La Payunia to incorporate them into the public domain and ensure their perpetual conservation as a natural heritage of Mendoza.
The new record of the Andean cat in Malargüe consolidates La Payunia as a key area for the conservation of this unique feline. The combination of science, community participation, and coexistence strategies demonstrates that it is possible to protect critically endangered species while sustaining productive activities in harmony with nature.
