Pudu on the road

24 December 2009

One of the amazing animals in southern Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego is the Pudu. The Pudu is a deer living in the forest, but what makes it so special is its small size - an adult Pudu is only about 35 cm tall. During our extensive walks in the region's national parks (NP), we hope to spot a Pudu and keep our eyes wide open in: NP Huerquehue, NP Nahuelbuta, NP Vincente Perez Rosales, and in remote NP Chiloé ... but regrettably the Pudu keeps itself well hidden in the forest. And then one day who do we spot but a pair of Pudus! Not in a national park, but running along highway number 5 in Chloé. How ironic, apparently if you want to see rare and endangered wildlife, don't go to the national park - drive along the highway.

Luckily, we did not honk at them. According to a guide, a honking car could kill the Pudu by causing it a heart attack.

Link: Wikipedia - Pudu