Puma Released Into Wild After Roaming COVID City Streets

This is the moment a puma that was captured on the city streets during the COVID-19 lockdown is released back into its natural habitat.

The puma, the third to have been captured in urban areas in Chile during the lockdown, was spotted in San Luis de Colina in the central capital Santiago de Chile.

Experts of the Santiago Metropolitan Park and the Agriculture and Farming Service (SAG) managed to capture the big cat in a private property.

Video Credit: Newsflash/@sagchile

The puma was then taken to a veterinary centre in the urban park where it underwent tests before being released into its natural habitat.

According to local media, it was the third puma to be caught in urban areas in central Chile.

The first was captured in the town of Nunoa at the end of March and the second one was caught last week in Chicureo.

The video shows the moment the puma in Nunoa was caught at the end of March by workers with nets.

Other footage provided to Newsflash shows the capture of the puma in Chicureo. In the fourth video, the puma is seen being released in its natural habitat.

SAG director Horacio Borquez believes animals are approaching urban areas due to droughts affecting the region, increased construction work and fewer people on the streets due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

Since 22nd March, Chile has reportedly introduced containments measures to prevent the spread of the virus that includes a curfew between the hours of 10pm and 5am.

According to the latest figures from the Johns Hopkins University, Chile has registered 5,546 cases of COVID-19, 48 deaths and 1,115 recoveries.


To find out more about the author, editor or agency that supplied this story – please click below.
Story By: Ana LacasaSub-EditorJoseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash

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