Re: Sad News
The puma here are not as big as a North American mountain lion, no. They're about the same size as a German Shepherd. What they lack in size, however, they make up in agression and territoriality. In my experience, a Jaguar (and they do get big here) will only attack you directly if it feels you're threatening its kits. A Puma, however, will chew you if you happen to be in its territory and it notices, and regardless of how small it is, a cat the size of a large dog will still do some pretty horrid damage to a person.
For the Jaguars at least, here in Ecuador the forest people regard killing them to be extraordinarily bad luck - they are considered to be the first sign that the forest is healthy, and are generally revered as protectors. It's true that they are absolutely ferocious beasties, but they seem to have adapted to the people as though they are just another large carnivore to share the jungle with. My Huao friends normally leave a portion of their catch for the Jags, as is the custom - kind of a "propitiating the gods" thing.
Oh, and our word Jaguar? It comes from the Incan for "bloodied one."
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