Fundo Puchegüín is a newly protected area within the Cochamó commune. It connects one of the largest biological corridors in Latin America—a key bridge for species like the huemul to roam freely and recover their habitat.
For Patagonia ambassador Felipe Cancino, seeing a huemul in the wild “is like seeing a ghost.” The southernmost deer in the world, this shy inhabitant of Patagonia is a national icon on Chile’s coat of arms. It’s also critically endangered. So when researchers confirmed a previously undocumented population of huemul in Fundo Puchegüín, he saw an opportunity.
Along with fellow Patagonia ambassador and climate scientist Peyton Thomas, Felipe covered 75 miles through native forest, on seldom-traveled trails, searching for signs that the ghost of Patagonia had passed through this land.
Running with Huemuls
Fundo Puchegüín is a newly protected area within the Cochamó commune. It connects one of the largest biological corridors in Latin America—a key bridge for species like the huemul to roam freely and recover their habitat.