25 June 2026

New documentary: The story of a man who went from hunting pumas to protecting them in Patagonia

In the vast Patagonian steppe, where livestock and wildlife have shared the land for generations, few stories capture the challenges and opportunities of conservation better than that of Mirko Utrovicich.

For much of his life, Mirko was known as one of the most experienced puma trackers and hunters in the region. When a ranch suffered losses from predator attacks, he was the one they called to solve the problem. In Patagonia, where the puma was viewed for decades as a threat to livestock, that was simply the way things were done.

Today, however, its story is quite different.

From Hunter to Conservationist

The documentary The Puma Hunter, produced by Swoop Patagonia in collaboration with the Cerro Guido Conservation Foundation, captures Mirko’s extraordinary transformation and his transition from hunting to conservation.

Mirko currently works as the Sheep Foreman for the Coexistence Livestock Program at Estancia Cerro Guido. In this new role, he continues to work closely with the Cerro Guido Conservation Foundation, contributing to the development of a model that aims to demonstrate that livestock production and wildlife conservation can coexist within the same territory. Working alongside him is Víctor Sharp, who, after serving for years as Head of Stables, recently took on the role of Cattle Foreman for the Coexistence Livestock Program, strengthening an integrated approach to land management based on coexistence.

His story shows that even the most deeply rooted conflicts can be addressed from new perspectives when there is a willingness to engage in dialogue, learn, and collaborate.

The Challenge of Coexistence

Puma conservation in Patagonia is not just about protecting a species. It also involves understanding the realities of those who live and work in the region.

For more than a century, cattle ranching has been a vital industry for the region, leading to a long-standing conflict with native predators. In response to this reality, the Cerro Guido Conservation Foundation has promoted a model that seeks to reduce attacks on livestock through nonlethal methods, combining scientific research, ongoing monitoring, and adaptive ranching practices.

Among these measures, the Great Pyrenees and Maremma sheepdogs stand out; they help deter predators without the need to eliminate them. These initiatives allow us to move toward a model where conservation and production can coexist in a more balanced way.

A New Generation of Stories

One of the most interesting aspects of The Puma Hunter is that it is not just the story of one person. The documentary also shows how new generations of rural workers, researchers, and conservationists are rethinking traditional ways of relating to nature.

Through their experiences, a question arises that is more pressing today than ever: Is it possible to share the same territory with wildlife without giving up the productive activities that are part of Patagonia’s identity?

At Cerro Guido, we believe the answer is yes, and that coexistence is built through knowledge, innovation, and respect for natural processes.

More Than Just a Movie About Pumas

The Puma Hunter is, at its core, a story about transformation.

It is the story of a person who changed his way of seeing the world. It is the story of a community seeking new solutions to long-standing challenges. And it is also an invitation to reflect on how we want to relate to nature in the future.

Because conservation doesn’t happen only in protected areas. It also happens in productive areas, where people and wildlife learn, day by day, to share the same landscape.

Watch the full documentary

You can watch The Puma Hunter here.