Mural: “ Tribute to the Pachamama (Mother Earth), our home”.
Yanahuara, Arequipa, Perú.

The mural “Tribute to the Pachamama (Mother Earth), our home” is located in the district of Yanahuara, located in the province and region of Arequipa, Peru. It was inaugurated on March 8, 2024. This project aims to raise awareness among both the local population and visitors about the importance of high Andean wildlife, especially endangered species. It seeks to foster empathy towards these animals, highlighting their beauty, uniqueness and intrinsic value to the ecosystem.
We hope that this mural not only functions as a powerful visual communication tool to promote the protection of wildlife and the environment, inspiring positive changes towards a more sustainable future, but also stimulates dialogue and reflection on the relationship between humans and nature, as well as our ethical responsibility towards other forms of life on the planet.
MEET THE INSTITUTIONS INVOLVED
MEET THE ARTISTS
THE MESSAGE
The Andean cat plays a crucial role in the message of the mural. It is presented in prominent size, acting as a messenger of the Pachamama “Mother Earth”. The back of his figure merges almost imperceptibly with the landscape, while other animals rest on his tail. The Andean cat looks towards the horizon, leading the high Andean fauna (such as the huallata, the Andean flamingo, the vicuña, the taruca, the mountain vizcacha and the puma) towards a more promising future, symbolized by a sunrise in a preserved landscape.
The mural is crossed by curved vertical lines in blue, representing the passage of time and the threat of extinction. The parts of the animals cut by these lines show their silhouettes and footprints, as a kind of x-ray that recalls those individuals of the species that no longer accompany us in the present.
WHAT IS REPRESENTED

ANDEAN CAT
The Andean cat (Leopardus jacobita) is one of the most endangered felids in the Americas, with fewer than 2,200 adult individuals living in the Andes of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru, and northern Argentine Patagonia.
The habitat of the Andean cat is fragmented, with shelters and prey in rocky sectors separated by wide valleys. This arid environment is rapidly altered by human activities, whose impacts modify the landscape for a long time. The Andean cat needs large areas to live, a single male can require an area equivalent to 5000 soccer fields.

HUALLATA
The Andean goose (Oressochen melanopterus), native to the Andean highlands and mountains in South America, is characterized by its short beak, pink legs and strong monogamous bonds. It prefers humid environments and faces threats such as habitat loss, aquatic pollution and hunting, highlighting the importance of wetland conservation and protection of its natural habitats.

VICUÑA
The vicuña (Vicugna vicugna) is a South American camelid native to the Andes, recognized for its fine, luxurious coat. They are the smallest camelids, with a slender body, long legs and a slender neck. They are social animals that feed on the grasses and plants of the Andean puna. Although they were on the verge of extinction in the 20th century due to intensive hunting, conservation efforts have allowed a remarkable recovery of their populations. However, they still face threats due to poaching and habitat loss.

TARUCA
The taruca (Hippocamelus antisensis) is a medium-sized deer native to South America. It mainly inhabits the Andean foothills in Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and a small part of Argentina. It is distinguished by its thick, soft, grayish-brown coat and its ability to camouflage itself in mountainous environments. Males, which are slightly larger than females, are the only ones that develop antlers. The taruca lives alone or in small family groups. It is currently classified as a vulnerable species due to threats such as habitat loss and fragmentation, illegal hunting, and competition with domestic livestock for resources.

ANDEAN FLAMINGO
The Andean flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus), one of six species of flamingos in the world, is distinguished by its pink coloration and its habitat in the high altitudes of the Andes. This bird, which can reach up to 110 centimeters in height and weigh between 2 and 4 kilograms, is found mainly in saline lakes and high mountain lagoons. It feeds on algae, crustaceans, insects and larvae, and adapts well to extreme environments. However, it faces threats such as habitat loss, water pollution and human disturbance. The Andean flamingo is an indicator species for the health of high mountain aquatic ecosystems and has an important cultural value for local communities.

VIZCACHA
The mountain viscacha (Lagidium spp.) is a group of rodents endemic to the Andes of South America, inhabiting mountainous areas of Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. This medium-sized animal, with a robust body and a long, furry tail, lives in extreme high mountain conditions. They are social animals, active during twilight and night, and their diet is mainly herbivorous. Although they are not endangered, they face threats such as habitat loss and hunting, so habitat protection and conservation measures are essential for their survival.

PUMA
The puma (Puma concolor) is the largest feline and carnivore of the high Andes. Its muscular and agile body is adapted for hunting in diverse habitats, such as mountains, forests, deserts and grasslands. Their fur varies from yellow to light brown, with darker shades on top and lighter underneath. Pumas are solitary and territorial, hunting mainly alone. Their diet ranges from small mammals to large prey, and they are capable of killing animals several times their size. Although not globally endangered, the puma faces threats such as habitat loss, illegal hunting and fragmentation of its territory, so protecting its habitat and implementing conservation measures are crucial to its long-term survival. The puma’s rapid adaptability to the advances of the human frontier often generates negative interactions with high Andean cattle ranchers, presenting challenges that generate the search for positive strategies to facilitate coexistence between human populations and these felines.