Authorities in Mendoza confirmed the sighting of a yaguarundí (Herpailurus yagouaroundi) and even managed to capture it on camera.
The encounter with the also known as gato moro generated enthusiasm among wildlife experts in Mendoza.
Thanks to citizen involvement, two specimens were filmed of this elusive feline, a sighting that highlights the importance of community collaboration in the conservation of key species for the ecosystem.
An unexpected encounter in Valle de Uco
The video was captured by a resident in a rural area of Tunuyán, within the Valle de Uco. The images show the two yaguarundí crossing a dirt road, a significant event given how difficult it is to spot this species.
Images of one of the captured yaguarundí. (Photo: Mendoza government).
This record, along with others captured by trap cameras in the Ñacuñán Biosphere Reserve in 2021, highlights the presence of this feline in the province and its role as an indicator of the health of local ecosystems.
The material was handed over to the Department of Wildlife of the Biodiversity and Ecopark Directorate, which appreciated the citizen’s commitment to documenting the presence of these animals in their natural habitat.
The Yaguarundí, a key feline for biological balance
The gato moro is a small feline with an elongated and slender body, with fur that can vary between reddish and grayish tones. Unlike other felines, the yaguarundí has diurnal habits, allowing it to coexist with larger predators like the puma without competing for resources.
Its role in the ecosystem is essential, acting as a natural regulator of populations of small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
However, this feline faces multiple threats, including habitat loss, road accidents, and persecution by some people who see it as a threat to their livestock.
This elusive and diurnal feline
With an elongated body, uniform fur, and solitary behavior, this small carnivore adapts to various environments.
The yaguarundí is a medium-sized feline, with a slender body, elongated head, small and rounded ears, and a long muscular tail that helps it maintain balance.
This is the yaguarundí.
Its fur is short and spotless, with variations ranging from dark gray to reddish, even within the same litter.
- Weight: between 4.5 and 9 kg
- Length: up to 83 cm in males
- Activity: mainly diurnal
- Diet: small rodents, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish
What to do if you spot at-risk wildlife in Mendoza?
The Ministry of Energy and Environment of Mendoza emphasizes the importance of immediately reporting any sighting of at-risk wildlife to the authorities. Your collaboration is crucial to protect these species.
Contact:
- Phone: 261 7503417 (Monday to Friday from 8 am to 1 pm)
- Email: [email protected]
- Online reporting portal: ticketsform.mendoza.gov.ar
- Emergencies: 911 (requesting the intervention of the Rural Security Police)
