A camera trap has captured a rare image of a puma concolor in the water recharge zones of Cuenca, marking the first recorded sighting of the species in the area.
The image was taken by equipment operated by the Environmental Management Directorate of the Baños Parish Drinking Water Board and was reported on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
The sighting highlights the presence of a top predator in a sensitive environmental zone, an indicator often linked to ecosystem health. At the same time, the species faces growing pressure from human activity and the loss of natural habitat.
Local environmental teams are continuing efforts focused on ecological restoration, scientific monitoring, and applied research. These actions are aimed at protecting micro-watersheds and preserving the conditions that support wildlife in the region.