**The Andean cat (*Leopardus jacobita*), one of South America's most threatened wild felines, has been recorded for the first time inside Aguas de Ramón Natural Park, in the foothills of Santiago.** Camera traps installed by Parque Cordillera, with support from Aguas Andinas, captured three independent records of at least one individual in the Aguas de Ramón ravine, Ladera Sur reported on 6 November; El Mostrador picked it up on the 9th.
The monitoring ran from June to October, with twelve cameras in high areas of the park and more than 766 camera-nights. According to the report, there were no previous records of the species inside the protected area, which lies in the municipalities of La Reina and Las Condes, less than an hour from downtown Santiago.
View the data as a table
| Camera traps | 12 |
| Camera-nights of monitoring | +766 |
| Independent records | 3 |
| Adult park entry | $3,450 |
What is known about the Andean cat record in Aguas de Ramón
| Item | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Andean cat (*Leopardus jacobita*), Endangered according to the IUCN | Ladera Sur, IUCN |
| Place | Aguas de Ramón ravine, Aguas de Ramón Natural Park (La Reina and Las Condes) | Ladera Sur |
| Monitoring | 12 camera traps, June to October, more than 766 camera-nights | Ladera Sur |
| Result | 3 independent records of at least one individual | Ladera Sur |
| Who | Parque Cordillera, with support from Aguas Andinas (Andean Cat project) | Ladera Sur |
| Next step | Cameras in photo mode to determine sex, number of individuals and biological corridor | Ladera Sur |
Nicolás Lagos, a specialist in Chile's wild felines, told Ladera Sur that the species has been documented since 2014 in nearby areas such as Parque Mahuida, and further north in the Cajón del Maipo and Putaendo, with several records four or five kilometers from the park. Head ranger Víctor Vira said the next step is to reprogram the cameras to identify individuals.
- 2014First nearby recordsIn areas such as Parque Mahuida, according to Nicolás Lagos.
- Jun-Oct 2026Monitoring with 12 camerasParque Cordillera with support from Aguas Andinas.
- 6 Nov 2026Presence confirmedFirst record inside the protected area.
- Next stepCameras in photo modeTo learn sex, numbers and the corridor they use.
Why the Andean cat is so hard to see
The Andean cat lives in high, rocky and cold areas of the Andes, from Peru to Argentina and Chile. It is the size of a large domestic cat, with grey fur and a long, thick ringed tail. It is nocturnal, solitary and very scarce, which is why almost everything known about it comes from camera traps. In the Santiago foothills it shares its habitat with the mountain viscacha, its main prey, the culpeo fox and the degu, according to the report.
As with other mountain carnivores, such as the puma of Lago Peñuelas Reserve, habitat loss is its main threat. For hikers in the park, the rule is simple: stay on the trails, do not bring pets and do not feed wildlife.
How to visit Aguas de Ramón Park
| Item | Detail (as of 9 November 2026) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday to Sunday, 8:00 to 18:00; trekking until 14:00 and picnic until 16:00 |
| Adult admission | CLP 3,450 |
| Seniors and children | CLP 2,300 |
| Purchase | Online, named tickets |
| Activities | Trekking, waterfalls, zip line, viewpoint and café |
| Park emergency phone | +56 9 5528 5477 |
Source: Asociación Parque Cordillera, checked on 9 November 2026. Punto Ticket lists summer hours until 19:00 and last trekking entry at 13:00: confirm the hours before you go, because they change by season.
Other nature outings near Santiago include San Cristóbal hill, Cascada de las Ánimas and things to do in the Cajón del Maipo. This Monday and early Tuesday there is an early preventive alert for thunderstorms in the Metropolitan Region's foothills, so it is best to leave trekking for another day (details).
Does your nature or trekking business in Santiago want to reach more visitors?
See advertising optionsFrequently asked questions
Where does the Andean cat live in Chile?
In the mountains, from the northern altiplano to central Chile. In the Metropolitan Region there have been records since 2014 in areas such as Parque Mahuida and the Cajón del Maipo, and now inside Aguas de Ramón Park.
Can you see the Andean cat in Aguas de Ramón?
It is very unlikely: it is nocturnal, scarce and lives in high, rocky areas. The record was made with camera traps.
How much does it cost to enter Aguas de Ramón Park?
CLP 3,450 for adults and CLP 2,300 for seniors and children, according to Asociación Parque Cordillera (9 November 2026).
