Research overview: cultural significance of the Andean cat

The Andean cat holds deep cultural significance for Andean peoples, and this overview reviews how that intersects with conservation. The cat features in traditional Andean belief as a sacred animal associated with fertility and the mountains, and its skins or effigies have been used in ceremonies. This cultural prominence is double-edged, fostering reverence but also driving the killing of cats for ritual use and out of superstition. Conservation programs have engaged with local communities to build on cultural respect while reducing harmful practices. Recognizing the species cultural dimension is important because the Andean cat survival depends heavily on the attitudes and actions of the high-altitude communities that share its range and shape its fate.