ChileanWildlife

Meet the Güiña: The Tiny Wild Cat of Southern Chile

Photo by Pía Vergara, via Ladera Sur

The güiña, also known as the kodkod, is the smallest wild cat in the Americas—and one of the least known. But this rare feline has a big story. Native to the temperate rainforests of southern Chile and parts of Argentina, the güiña is elusive, solitary, and deeply woven into the landscape and culture of the region.

Its Mapudungun name—“güiña”—is a reflection of the Indigenous roots of its homeland. The scientific name, Leopardus guigna, may sound big, but the cat itself is tiny—usually no larger than a house cat, with spotted fur, rounded ears, and a tail nearly as long as its body.

Despite its small size and shy nature, the güiña plays an important role in its ecosystem as a predator of small mammals and birds. Sadly, its forest home is shrinking. As logging, agriculture, and urbanization continue to spread, the güiña faces increasing threats from habitat loss and fragmentation. It’s also sometimes killed by humans who mistakenly believe it preys on chickens or other domestic animals.

Today, the güiña is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. With an estimated population decline of over 30% in the past decade, conservation efforts are more important than ever.

Credit: Photo taken at the private facility of Fauna Andina, Nov 2024 . By an unidentified contributor, via ZooChat

But there is hope.

Many organizations and researchers are working to protect this mysterious little feline. Here are a few ways you can help:

The güiña may be small, but she carries an ancient spirit—one that deserves space, safety, and a future. 🌲🐾

Photo credit: Nicolás Gálvez, via Wikimedia Commons

El Zorro Chilote: A Tiny Treasure at the Edge of the World

Photo of a zorro chilote (Darwin’s fox) shared by u/ErickYj on Reddit. Source

Have you ever heard of the zorro chilote? Also known as Darwin’s fox, this little zorro lives deep in the temperate rainforests of southern Chile. With dark fur, curious eyes, and a secretive nature, the zorro chilote is one of the most special creatures of our land. He’s tiny—smaller than most other foxes—and only found in a few places, like Chiloé Island and the Valdivian forests of the mainland.

What makes the zorro chilote unique isn’t just his size—it’s his wild, mysterious heart. He belongs only to Chile. Nowhere else in the world does this species exist. He walks silently through the shadows of the native forest, where trees drip with moss and the ground is soft with fallen leaves. Like the güiña (kodkod), he’s part of an ancient web of life that has existed for thousands of years.

But today, this beautiful fox is in danger.

With deforestation, development, and dogs introduced by humans, the zorro chilote has fewer places to hide and hunt. The species is now considered endangered, with fewer than 1,000 individuals believed to remain in the wild. His world is disappearing—and with it, a piece of our soul.

Zorro chilote with pup.
Image originally shared by ProAraucanía in 2013, no photographer credited.

How you can help

There are still ways to protect this little guardian of the forest:

  • Support WWF’s symbolic adoption program, where you can symbolically adopt a Darwin’s fox and help fund global conservation efforts: WWF Adoption Page
  • Donate to Chiloé Silvestre, a local grassroots organization in Chile that works on behalf of the zorro chilote and other native species: Chiloé Silvestre Website
  • Learn more and support Fauna Australis and ONG Convivencia Humano-Fauna, two other organizations committed to wildlife research and coexistence in southern Chile.

The zorro chilote may be small, but his spirit is mighty. Let’s help make sure this little fox has a future—wild, free, and protected.