The puma that escaped from the Eden Aviary Park last Friday and passed through the Lagunitas sector of Puerto Montt has not yet been captured. From the SAG they explained the work for their discovery, while the Veterinary Medical College gave recommendations to the population in case of sightings.
Without results, the investigations continue to capture a captive puma in the Lagunitas sector in Puerto Montt, Los Lagos region.
Let us remember that the 8-month-old feline escaped from the Eden Aviary Park last Friday, June 10 in the morning hours, a situation that keeps the officials of the Livestock Agricultural Service (SAG) active from the need to apprehend the animal.
For this, the SAG installed traps with meat as bait at different points in this area where the feline was spotted by a family of Lagunitas.
Regarding the capture measures implemented, the regional director of the agency, Edward Monrealhe explained regarding it.
Monreal clarified that the puma is a very common native species in southern Chile, warning that in the event of a possible sighting it is important to know how to act.
“Regardless of this escape, it is very likely that some of us will have contact with a cougar. You have to avoid contact, keep your distance, stay upright, chase it away, because it is a shy animal and it will most likely start”said.
Recommendations of the Veterinary Medical College of Chile
The presence of wild fauna and its interaction with the activity is clearly increasing due to the increase in subdivisions and the irruption of the population in a habitat of native animals.
This is how the coordinator of the Wildlife and Environment Commission of the Llanquihue-Osorno-Puerto Montt Regional Council of the Veterinary Medical College interprets it, Mauricio Herrera.
“The number of subdivisions has meant that people are inhabiting places that were previously a little more pristine or less intervened, so obviously there will be more interactions with the fauna (…) I want to invite people who live in rural areas or in peripheral sectors to be responsible with this. If we are going to live in a place like this, we have the responsibility of doing the least possible damage to the fauna, because obviously we are going to encounter it”held.
The veterinarian clarifies that an animal will never be able to be domesticated due to its own nature and instinct, being one of its main characteristics.
What to do if I see a cougar?
In the event of a sighting or close encounter with this feline, Colmevet insisted on staying calm and notifying the Agricultural and Livestock Service or Carabinieri.
They also gave instructions such as: make noise from a safe place. For example, with pots from a window. This action will scare him away because of his shy nature; Do not get close to capture photos or videos; If you see a specimen, call the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG), Carabineros, Citizen Security of your Municipality. Give the authorities the exact location.
Finally, they called on the authorities to investigate the origin of the cougar, given that if the hypothesis of being an animal from captivity is verified, the causes and possible sanctions should be clarified if there is negligence.
You can review Colmevet’s statement below.