Originally broadcast as a “Nature” program for WNET Thirteen, Pumas: Legends of the Ice Mountains features a type of mountain lion uniquely suited to the harsh environment of southern Chile. Known as pumas, these magnificent cats live in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, a vast ice-capped mountainous terrain with steep peaks and rocky hillsides, freshwater lakes, valleys, and glacial streams. Together with condors, guanacos, caracaras, pink flamingos, and other creatures, the pumas make their home in this beautiful but stark land where the wind never stops blowing.
Perfectly narrated by Uma Thurman, the story follows two puma families through various seasons. Named “Solitaria," a beautiful female puma with amber eyes and golden-brown fur, protects a large hunting ground in a prime location in the park.
The huntress is constantly looking for food. Sometimes, she follows the condors or caracaras as they find fresh carrion; other times she hunts the guanacos, cousins to the llamas that are somewhat smaller in stature and have dark eyes and a white underbelly. The guanaco herds come to the valley in the spring and summer to eat the vegetation. Solitaria patiently waits for a guanaco to make a mistake; then, with a burst speed and power, the puma overtakes the guanaco by jumping on its back, hanging on, and taking it down.
Solitaria needs food for herself and for her four three-month-old cubs; one affectionate cub, in particular, spends more time with Solitaria than her siblings and closely watches her mother as she hunts for food. This cub is named “La Bella Cazadora." The father of the cubs is named “La Roca” and this puma is much larger and roams a nearby territory.
After the harsh winter, Solitaria is hungry and decides to cross the barely frozen water for food. The ice creaks as she and the cubs warily cross the ice, feed on a kill, and return back. Two days later the ice breaks up and the thaw begins. Raging rivers carry the ice and water down from the mountains. Winter tries to resume a few times but fails. Explosive sounds of avalanches are heard. Flamingos and ducks begin to feed in the water.
One day, Solitaria does not return from hunting and the cubs set off on their own. Cazadora assumes the territory of her mother and begins her adult hunting life. She scavenges for food at first as she learned from her mother. She attempts to take down a guanaco but fails a few times as she masters the hunting technique. By the next year, she is a skillful huntress, turns away from a few approaching male pumas, and finally accepts a mate. In the end, Cazadora has four kittens of her own.
With amazing close-ups of the animals, spectacular views of the varied landscapes, and an array of brilliant photos, this film is highly recommended. Aud: J, H, C, P.