Monday 19 March 2007

Two small PUMAS from the Andes of Atacama Desert




Two Baby Pumas (Puma concolor) where rescued by a mining worker at Puquios, located Ca 4000 m above sea level, near Ollague (border Chile-Bolivia). The man took the "pumitas" with him to Calama city and soon realised that the small cats were dificult to maintain and decided to take them to Antofagasta city and ask the Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre of the University of Antofagasta to receive them.

Since ending December 2006 we have been working very hard with this two creatures. They developed a negative reaction to milk and became dehydrated and fall in comma. Thanks to MV Andres Valenzuela that voluntarely assisted, the Pumas were recovered. Two more episodes again imposed difficulties and challenges to continue rearing the pumas, without milk, only meat and soup, plus polyvitamin, Taurina and Calcium.

Three months of hard work allow them to grow safe and healthy. They are around 90 - 100 days old and weight 7 kg. Behave very aggressive (good wild genes) whem feeding and play a lot as they are chazing. Female is more advanced on chazing techniques practicing with the male on how to capture, immobilise with arms and claws and bite the neck of the buddy victim.







We need to build a large cage in order to let them grow until they may start preparing to be released in the Andes. Fortunately Xstrata mining Co. donate Ca US$2.500 to buy materials for the cage. The next challenge will be to obtain funds to feed them and for Veterinary additionals and attendance. We will see...






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1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Muy interesante y felicitaciones