Panthera and Fundación Cerro Guido Conservación Joint Statement on Dark, the Puma, in Torres del Paine

Lea la declaración en español aquí

Panthera and Fundación Cerro Guido Conservación are aware of recent social media posts showing an injured male puma known locally as “Dark” in Torres del Paine National Park. 

We share the public’s concern for Dark’s welfare. At approximately 12 years old, Dark is currently one of the park’s oldest known dominant males. Male puma survival typically declines with age, and older males like Dark face increasing challenges from younger competitors. He is truly exceptional to still hold such prime territory and is no doubt being challenged more frequently given his age. 

In November 2024, Dark was fitted with a lightweight GPS collar as part of ongoing scientific research on the effectiveness of guardian dogs in protecting sheep and pumas on working ranches in the region. This work is a partnership between Panthera and Fundación Cerro Guido Conservación and is authorized by wildlife authorities in Chile. At the time of collaring, Dark weighed 77.5 kg, making the collar’s weight (500 grams) just 0.6–0.7% of his body weight — well below the traditional 3% limit used in wildlife research. Since being collared, Dark has hunted, mated, and patrolled his territory in ways consistent with a healthy, free-ranging puma. Over the last week alone, GPS data shows Dark has travelled 40.2 km – a normal amount for a puma – and remains safely within his territory.

While some images have shown visible injuries on Dark, field evidence suggests the wounds are consistent with injuries that can occur naturally during fights between adult male pumas over territory or mating opportunities. These conflicts are a normal and important part of puma ecology.  

His current injuries are unrelated to the collar, which is specifically designed so it does not affect a puma’s behavior or health. Not only does the collar not hinder Dark’s ability to defend himself — research shows that the opposite might be the case. GPS collars can act like a form of armor, offering protection to the neck, a critical and vulnerable area, and potentially helping some carnivores survive physical contests. The collar is also designed to fall off after a set period. It is not permanent. 

The collaring and study of wild cats is a long-standing, science-based conservation method used for decades on multiple species worldwide. Collars are essential for determining how individual cats die — information without which targeted conservation interventions cannot be designed effectively. This technology is also critical to protecting pumas and other elusive cats by identifying wildlife corridors, improving habitat connectivity, and understanding threats to their survival. Without this research, conservation of species like the puma would be far less successful than it has been. 

Our team, along with Fundación Cerro Guido Conservación and local partners who know the territories and behaviors of these animals, is monitoring Dark closely. We remain committed to the conservation of pumas and their ecosystems. 

For further inquiries, please direct questions to Panthera’s communications team at Susie Weller Sheppard, sweller@panthera.org and Angela Ambrosini, aambrosini@panthera.org.