5 January 2025

Northern Oncilla still showing at Mirador El Roble, Colombia.

A last-minute decision to take a detour from a family holiday in Peru to Colombia to look for the Northern oncilla paid off. The cat has been seen regularly over the last two years (see previous trip report) after it killed a chicken at the Mirador El Roble birdwatching homestay. I stayed for three nights, and the cat showed up in the early morning on the second and third days.

The Oncilla has been showing up regularly recently.  From pre-dawn, I sat in front of the hummingbird feeders (a pretty enjoyable way to spend the day)  and waited for it to appear. The cat looks to be in good health and is still the same cat seen in early 2023.

Mirador El Roble is approximately a four-hour drive from Medellin airport. Using Google Translate (as I don’t speak Spanish), I communicated with Lucia (home-stay owner – WhatsApp +57 3146837549). I stayed at the homestay in a basic bedroom (curtain for a door) with all meals provided. I hired a driver (Harley  -WhatsApp +57 3207700474) recommended by Lucia for the long drive there and back.

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Stuart Chapman
Since the age of 5, I wanted to be a naturalist. A lifelong conservationist and advocate for nature, I have lived in Asia for more than 20 years and worked for WWF for over three decades. Starting my international career as a ranger trainer in Wolong Panda Reserve in China in 1991, I have been mammal watching ever since. My hobby and personal quest is to see all 40 species of wild cat and I have currently seen 33 species. I am also trying to see 1000 species of mammal by 2025!
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