A prowling puma ’s previous - Nox feat to run sheep in Patagonia were foiled by the barking alarm call of safety machine weenie in spectacular footage captured for a new National Geographic series . InAnimals Up Close , wildlife photographer , movie maker , and presenter Bertie Gregoryis on view with a team using thermic imaging cameras to give chase the invading puma , and in doing so captivate a behavior that ’s never been put down before .
Puma ’s demand to consume , but a story like this is a inspiriting one because the conflict between these proficient hunting watch and farmers – whose livestock they love to rust – has become a with child problem for the survival of the species . In the past , farmers have hunted painter in an effort to keep their flock safe . Unfortunately , more often , any pumas pour down are but replaced by another puma moving into the now - vacant territory .
Guard dogs became a convenient and preservation - favorable alternative for some farmers in Patagonia who saw great solution without have to vote out the aboriginal predatory pumas .
“ [ A farmer ] told me about this one farm where they used to kill 100 mountain lion per yr … after the dogs were enter to protect the flock from the mountain lion , the farmer lose just two sheep , ” Gregory toldLive Science . “ I could n’t find anywhere where anyone had really visit or film the interaction between the dogs and the pumas . We shoot that interaction between the cougar [ and ] the dogs for the first prison term . ”
Pumas are the largest predator in Patagonia , using stealing and strength to slip up on their quarry before scupper them . Their strong jaws and sizable teeth signify they can clamp down on their kill , which they will hide and feast on for several days .
A fine hunter , but not one that ’s immune to the pressure of being run . For a puma , engrossed farm animal handily packaged in fence - off pens make for an easy meal , and the death of sheep and Bos taurus at the jaws of Felis concolor has affected their popularity among farmers .
Puma hunting became a huge problem that pushed their numbers to near extinction , triggering an initiative in 1980 from the Chilean government to make hunt them illegal . While it continues in some position , efforts have been made to present alternate means of keeping farm animal secure from cougar , include the introduction of sheepdogs whose gimcrack barking is off - putting for the inconspicuous hunting puma .
This first - of - its - kind footage is made extra dramatic by the use of thermic imaging used to show the hunt attempt in all its glory despite being filmed in the centre of the night . you may look out it and more of Gregory ’s hazard inAnimals Up Closeon Disney+from September 13 .
