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Guanaco (Lama guanicoe), Sierra Baguales (Excursion 3)

The largest predatory land mammal in Chile is the Puma (Puma concolor) – a beautiful, lithe and (despite the fact that it seems to decorate half the tourist literature of Patagonia) highly elusive big cat. In the highly unlikely event that you see a Puma, count yourself lucky! On a more practical note, if you do happen to meet one and it doesn’t run first, do not run, but maintain eye contact and back away slowly, raising your arms to make yourself look as large as possible. Never approach cubs. Also present in the park is the much smaller Geoffroy’s Cat or Gato montés (Leopardus (Oncifelis) geoffroyi), which may be threatened with extinction in the near future.

Two species of fox are present in the park, the South American Grey Fox or Chilla (Lycalopex griseus; also known as the Patagonian Grey Fox, Zorro Gris or Zorro Patagónico) and the Fuegian Fox or Culpeo (Lycalopex culpaeus; also known as Zorro Rojo). The Culpeo is the larger of the two species, which is also easily distinguished (as the name implies) by the colour of its coat. Both species are protected in Chile, although illegal hunting still occurs. The genus Dusicyon is often used for South American foxes instead of Lycalopex.