National Geographic: Spitting Mad - Wild Camel of the Andes Page #4

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next generation of chulengos

into a glorious carpet of flowers.

Burgeoning vegetation

means there should be plenty to eat,

but last year's chulengos eat more

as they grow larger,

and each family group

has a limited feeding territory.

Over-population can lead to hardship

and starvation,

but guanacos have a solution

to this problem, too.

The adult males drive off all of

last year's offspring.

This is a dramatic

turn of events for the yearlings.

And they're reluctant to leave home,

signaling appeasement

to the male

with a forward-curved tail.

But even if the male gets the message,

he must press home the attack.

The future of his whole family group

depends on his ruthless aggression.

In a desperate attempt to stay

in the family group,

the yearling circles back around.

But the more he tries to stay,

the more determined the male becomes.

And this could have

disastrous consequences.

An injured yearling

is in serious danger.

If he's unable to find his way

to the security of a male group,

its fate is all but sealed.

The puma cubs are now nearly grown now,

and have formidable appetites.

So their mother must

increase her hunting.

There is little chance for

an injured yearling.

For the cubs are bolder now,

Investigating their territory

with enthusiasm

and no longer waiting for nightfall to eat.

The cub's mother tries to

encourage them away from the kill,

but one hungry youngster

is reluctant to obey.

Future generations of guanacos

will have to remain alert

when these cubs

become experienced hunters.

With the big cats at a safe distance,

condors and caracaras

can once again take advantage

of the guanacos'

presence here-foxes, too.

In fact, the guanacos life and death

Is the essential pivot

upon which all life is poised.

For their competitive social system

has evolved because it makes maximum

use of the land with minimal damage.

Guanacos are now protected in Chile

and are holding their own.

But in many ways,

they protect themselves.

With so many lone males

waiting for a chance

to win a territory,

it's almost certain that

only the strongest males

will get to breed.

Their future and that of all guanacos

depends on the survival of the fittest.

Their battles are a crucial part

of the never-ending cycle of life

in the southern Andes.

So the fights for territory

must continue,

however dangerous and exhausting.

For the land to sustain life,

there have to be winners and losers.

And it is essential

that the winners are so tough.

For even in this windy,

unforgiving land,

their vitality helps all guanacos

to survive,

to thrive and prosper.

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