# Rare Andean Cat Sighted in Argentina for Third Year

> Andean Mountain Cat photographed in Argentina for third consecutive year highlights camera traps' conservation value.
- Title: Rare Andean Cat Sighted in Argentina for Third Year | Shortify
- Summary: Andean Mountain Cat photographed in Argentina for third consecutive year highlights camera traps' conservation value. WCS Argentina confirmed the Andean…
- Keywords: andean mountain cat, leopardus jacobita, wildlife conservation society argentina, camera traps, iucn red list, mendoza province, abre granada, Rare, Andean, Cat, Sighted, Argentina
- Source: Digital Camera World — https://digitalcameraworld.com/cameras/trail-cameras/every-discovery-is-great-news-rare-andean-cat-photographed-in-argentina-for-third-consecutive-year-highlighting-the-value-of-camera-traps
- Published: 2026-10-03T12:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: andean mountain cat, leopardus jacobita, wildlife conservation society argentina, camera traps, iucn red list, mendoza province, abre granada
## Rare Andean Cat Sighted
An elusive Andean Mountain Cat (Leopardus jacobita) has been sighted by conservationists in Argentina for only the third time in as many consecutive years.
## Camera Traps Key to Conservation
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Argentina commented on the clear role trail cameras play in helping conserve the most endangered cat species across the Andes.
## Species Status and Numbers
Andean cats grow to roughly the size of a large house cat with thick ash-gray fur marked by brownish-orange spots and stripes, and there are around 2,100 mature individuals across South America.
## Recent Sighting Location
The latest sighting was recorded in January 2026 in the La Payunia Protected Natural Area of Mendoza Province, part of a broader WCS investigation over the past two decades.
## Conservation Manager's View
Dr María José Bolgeri, regenerative management manager at WCS Argentina, stated every discovery confirms the cat's presence and that conservation efforts are yielding concrete results.
## Population Uncertainty
None of the sightings over the past three years establish whether the local Andean cat population is increasing or decreasing, highlighting the need for continued camera trap monitoring.
## Key takeaway

WCS Argentina confirmed the Andean cat's presence in Argentina for the third year using camera traps, showing conservation efforts work despite population uncertainty.