Kristine Tompkins’s Unique Experience in the Sky
Even for someone who flies often, this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s October, and I’m flying over northern Argentina in a Cessna Grand Caravan, the same type of plane I used to skydive out of years ago. What makes this flight special is the unexpected passenger—a wild jaguar.
Kristine Tompkins’ Concern for the Jaguar
The 74-year-old woman sitting next to me, Kristine Tompkins, is more concerned about the jaguar’s well-being than our safety. We had just left a jaguar reintroduction center in Iberá National Park, where a vet sedated the jaguar for the journey. Kristine, the former CEO of Patagonia, watches the animal with a motherly concern.
“I imagine it must have been thrilling when you first did this,” I quietly remarked.
Kristine replied, her eyes still fixed on the jaguar, “It’s still exhilarating, but there’s always the risk. I worry about the stress on the animal and the team.”
Rewilding the Americas: Kristine’s Vision
Looking out the window of the plane, I realize how groundbreaking this moment is. The people in the town of Juan José Castelli below would never expect to see a wild jaguar flying overhead. However, Kristine has bigger plans. She dreams of reintroducing jaguars across South America, bringing back species like pampas deer, giant anteaters, and river otters, and restoring them to healthy populations. Kristine believes that the U.S. should also bring back jaguars, despite the fears people have of predators.
Her confidence stems from the success of carefully planned reintroductions, which can be achieved through social interaction and education to ease people’s concerns.
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A Life of Adventure and Love
Kristine Tompkins has led a life full of remarkable achievements. She grew up in California and worked with Yvon Chouinard at Patagonia, eventually becoming CEO by the age of 28. At 43, she met Doug Tompkins, the founder of North Face and Esprit, and they fell in love. Together, they devoted their lives to protecting the Patagonian wilderness.
Doug and Kristine purchased vast areas of land in Chile and Argentina to create national parks. Despite the difficulties, including conspiracy theories and threats, their efforts were rewarded with the creation of Pumalin National Park. After Doug’s sudden death in 2015, Kristine continued their mission.
Releasing the Jaguar: A New Chapter
Now, Kristine Tompkins is in Argentina overseeing the release of a jaguar named Mini. This marks the first time a jaguar has been moved to a new ecosystem in the Gran Chaco. The team watches in awe as Mini enters her new temporary home, a five-acre pen, where she will stay for eight months before being released into the wild.
Living with No Fear
Kristine Tompkins reflects on the lessons she has learned: “Live with no fear. Every day, go for broke. After Doug’s death, I lost all fear because the worst had already happened. I carry that feeling with me every day.”
Through her unwavering dedication and love for wildlife, Kristine continues her mission to rewild the world and make a lasting difference for the planet’s endangered species.