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The present article, developed within the framework of contract archeology, discloses the first in situ finding in the Lípez region of Potosí, Bolivia, of the semi-complete skeleton of an American cougar. It was discovered inside a collca, a pre-Hispanic deposit corresponding to the Late Intermediate Period (ca. 1100 years - 1450 years AD), and was associated with a Lampaya filiation vessel. An archaeozoological and taphonomic analysis revealed that it was an adult female feline of thin constitution and low weight. It was skinned for the extraction of its skin, and its meat was probably consumed as ritual food. The skeleton was placed on the floor of the structure in a left lateral decubitus position and oriented from west to east. It appears to be the final offering as part of a ceremony. According to Andean ethnohistorical, ethnographic and historical data, felines are sacred animals. Based in this worldview, this offering could symbolize fertility (due to its feminine condition), the transition from some important natural or social event that involved signs of hierarchy, power, and strength or could have been related to the moon and other important elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]