Last weekend, the town of **Nogolí**, in the province of **San Luis**, was the scene of an unusual event: the **sighting of a jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi)**, a **[native feline](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/parque-nacional-ibera-y-dos-hitos-de-conservacion-captan-a-un-yaguarete-silvestre-y-liberan-a-una-hembra-de-ocelote/)** with discreet habits and difficult to observe.
The image was captured by **Andrea Vergara**, a member of **[Aves Argentinas](https://www.avesargentinas.org.ar/)**, who managed to photograph the animal in the mountainous area.
A elusive and diurnal feline: characteristics of the jaguarundi
With a elongated body, uniform fur, and solitary behavior, **this small carnivore adapts to various environments**.
The **jaguarundi** is a **medium-sized feline**, with a slender body, **elongated head**, **small and rounded ears**, and a **long, muscular tail** that allows it to maintain balance.
Its fur is **short and without spots**, with variants 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
Habitat and distribution: from Texas to Argentina
Although it tolerates some human presence, it faces threats from **habitat loss and [illegal hunting](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/caza-ilegal-en-jujuy-detuvieron-a-dos-hombres-que-capturaban-especies-autoctonas-protegidas/)**.
This feline is found in **tropical forests, grasslands, caatingas, and gallery forests**, from the **southern United States to regions in northern and central Argentina**. Its adaptability allows it to survive in modified environments, but its **population is declining** due to:
- **Habitat fragmentation**
- **Poaching and illegal trafficking**
- **Urban and agricultural expansion**
Sightings and conservation: signs of a resilient biodiversity
The last entry to the **Center for Wildlife Conservation of La Florida** was in January 2023.
The sighting in Nogolí is **rare**, as the jaguarundi avoids populated areas and is rarely seen.
Its presence in the mountainous region confirms that **there are still functional ecological corridors**, although fragile, that allow its movement.
What to do when finding wildlife outside its habitat?
**Citizen participation is key to protecting native species**.
When encountering a wounded wild animal, outside its habitat, or at risk, it is recommended to:
- **Contact the Wildlife Office of the Secretariat of Environment and Sustainable Development**: 0266–4452000 ext. 3372
- **Notify the Environmental Police**: by calling 911
- **Avoid retaining, feeding, or handling the animal**
Preserving the unseen: the value of small felines in ecosystems
The jaguarundi plays key roles in **prey population control and ecological balance**.
Although less known than the puma or jaguar, the jaguarundi is **essential for the health of mountain ecosystems**, and its conservation requires **coordinated actions among authorities, communities, and environmental organizations**.
