In a video released on September 20, 2026, a puma was captured moving across the dunes of the Samalayuca Desert in Chihuahua, Mexico.
The footage was taken by a camera trap operated by the Wildlife Monitoring Brigade of the Área de Protección de Flora y Fauna (APFF) Médanos de Samalayuca, a unit of the Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (Conanp).
“The presence of this animal reminds us of the grandeur of the desert,” said a spokesperson for APFF Médanos de Samalayuca. “Thanks to the work, dedication, and expertise of our monitoring brigade, we can now appreciate one of the most emblematic species of our ecosystems.”
The 21‑second clip shows a Puma concolor sniffing around a water source, but it does not appear to drink. Observers noted that the animal was inspecting the area where several peccaries had been seen in recent days.
“We have a small water point that is used by various species,” explained Esquimalito Diaz, a member of the brigade. “We observed four peccaries arriving regularly, then three, and most recently only two. The puma’s appearance suggests that it may be investigating the area, possibly indicating predation or other ecological interactions.”
APFF officials highlighted that the camera trap not only records wildlife activity but also captures the environmental context, such as footprints and scent trails, providing a fuller picture of the desert’s ecological dynamics.
While it is not yet known whether the puma is male or female, or how often it uses this corridor, the observation underscores the continued vitality of the Samalayuca Sierra and the importance of ongoing monitoring efforts.
“The desert remains alive and active, even when we are asleep,” the APFF spokesperson added. “This brief glimpse captured by the camera offers a window into a long‑standing story of survival.”