Join host Brooke Mitchell as she sits down with puma researcher Nicolas Lagos from Panthera and conservation technologist Javiera de la Fuente from Universidad del Desarrollo to discuss their groundbreaking collaboration on Blink+A – a revolutionary deterrent device that’s changing the game for human-wildlife coexistence.
IN THIS EPISODE:
Discover how Nico sold his puma photography book to fund the initial development of Blink+A, a device that combines flashing lights, customizable sounds, and IoT connectivity to create virtual fences protecting both livestock and carnivores. Learn about the five-year journey from initial concept to 15+ prototypes, the challenges of testing in extreme Patagonian weather, and how two “city kids” from Santiago gained the trust of skeptical ranchers.
Nico and Javi share stories of failed prototypes on mountain tops, designing for thick fingers in cold weather, and why randomness is crucial for deterring intelligent predators. They discuss testing plans across ranches from the United States to Saudi Arabia, and reveal the touching story behind the device’s name, honoring Blinka, a resilient one-eyed puma from Torres del Paine.
KEY TOPICS
- The century-old conflict between ranchers and predators
- Why existing deterrents only use light OR sound, not both
- The collaborative design process with 22 stakeholders across 8 countries
- Building weatherproof, animal-proof, and farmer-proof technology
- Virtual fences and hive connectivity concepts
- Why cats are more cautious than canids
- Success metrics: changing perceptions, not just protecting livestock
- Open-source approach to conservation technology
SUPPORT PROJECT PATAGONIA:
Help fund the next phase of Blink+A testing and deployment. We’re raising $25,000 to get 100 units into the field across multiple countries and ecosystems. Every donation tier includes perks and rewards. Donate: givebutter.com/projectpatagonia
JOIN US IN PATAGONIA:
Experience this landscape firsthand on Brooke’s 2026 expedition. Track pumas through Torres del Paine, visit ranches where Blink+A is being tested, and meet the people working daily to protect this remarkable ecosystem. Learn more: Patagonia Expedition
FEATURED GUESTS:
Nicolas Lagos – Project Coordinator for Panthera’s Patagonia Coexistence Project. Natural resources engineer with a master’s in nature conservation from the University of Chile. His work focuses on felid conservation, Andean cats and pumas, and promoting human-wildlife coexistence.
Javiera de la Fuente – Conservation Technology Researcher at Universidad del Desarrollo’s C+ Research Center. Digital designer specializing in biodiversity monitoring, sustainable land management, and citizen science initiatives. Her work integrates technology, design, and environmental conservation.
RELATED EPISODES:
Check out the full Patagonia series to learn more about conservation work in Torres del Paine.
