The Compass: Chile's protected pumas and "alien" mummies

Stretching from the heart of the Andes all the way down to the fjord-fringed coastline of Patagonia, Chile showcases a spectrum of South America's wonders.  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌    ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  

 

SEE BELOW, CAN YOU GUESS THE LOCATION? VIEW ONLINE

SEE BELOW, CAN YOU GUESS THE LOCATION?

THE COMPASS

This week's virtual field trip takes us to from the heart of the Andes all the way down to the fjord-fringed coastline of Patagonia. Finally get an explanation for a mummy’s "alien" appearance, discover a bizarre armored dinosaur, and 11 breathtaking photos from Torres del Paine National Park.

PHOTOGRAPH BY EMERY SMITH Tiny mummy’s ‘alien’ appearance finally explained Researchers hope their new research will settle debate over the origins of Ata, a naturally mummified infant found in the Chilean desert. ORIGIN QUESTIONS

ALAMY This man drowned 5,000 years ago. How do we know that? By modifying a modern forensic technique, researchers were able to determine that skeletal remains in Chile belonged to a likely fisherman who drowned in the Pacific thousands of years ago. LIFE-AND-DEATH STORY

ILLUSTRATION BY MAURICIO ÁLVAREZ This bizarre armored dinosaur had a uniquely bladed tail weapon The fossilized creature, found in southern Chile, has a strange blend of features resembling both ankylosaurs and stegosaurs. A JAGGED CRICKET BAT

HINT: BY THE 19TH CENTURY ALL OF THESE HAD BEEN TOPPLED—BY WHOM OR WHAT IS UNCLEAR. CLICK TO SEE IF YOU'RE RIGHT!

PHOTOGRAPH BY INGO ARNDT Chile’s protections for pumas fuel conflict with ranchers The big cats, leaving their reserved areas in Patagonia in search of food, are mauling sheep herds. Could tourism solve the problem? PUMA PROTECTION

GOOD READS

1. Exploring Chile's Atacama Desert 2. How an unprecedented gift built a legacy of conservation in South America 3. What's the oldest tree on Earth—and will it survive climate change? 4. 30 jaw-dropping ways to experience Chile

PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL GEORGE 11 breathtaking photos from Torres del Paine National Park Photographer Michael George traveled to Patagonia and returned with a story of a lifetime. A WILD JOURNEY

WHERE WILL WE JOURNEY TO NEXT? Be sure to check your inbox next week to find out.

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