Jaguars & Wildlife of Brazil's Pantanal

Naturalist guide Cassiano "Zapa" Zaniboni rarely saw jaguars when he first began leading wildlife trips through Brazil's Pantanal wetlands decades ago. Now, these iconic big cats are making a comeback. Discover why this Expedition Leader is passionate about protecting threatened jaguars in the world’s largest seasonal floodplain.

Journey through marsh and islands in search of jaguar, tapir, capybara, giant armadillo, giant river otter, maned wolf, caiman and over 650 bird species in Brazil’s Pantanal. Expedition Leader Helder Brandao offer an overview of our adventure as we explore South America’s greatest wildlife enclave on foot, by boat and 4x4. Find out what to pack and where we stay, including the renowned Caiman Ecological Refuge, where we seek out giant anteater, ocelot and hyacinth macaw. Learn about our activities, from safari drives and nature walks to five separate boat excursions from Porto Jofre—the best place on Earth to spot jaguars in the wild!

Jaguars are the largest cats native to the Americas. Where they once roamed from the tip of Argentina to the U.S.-Mexico border, now, they are found only in remote regions of South and Central America. In this Conservation Connect interview, Abbie Martin, founder of the Jaguar ID Project, talks about how the non-profit monitors and protects the jaguars of Brazil’s Pantanal—the densest population of these elusive cats on Earth. Plus, learn how travelers like you can help save jaguars by contributing to citizen science data!

The Big Bad Wolf had a toothy grin, but when it comes to animals with the strongest bites, he doesn't top the list! Expedition Leader Arpita Dutta introduces us to creatures with some of the world’s most menacing jaws, including predators like the polar bear, jaguar, hippo and leopard seal. Learn how scientists measure bite force and how a strong bite serves a wild animal, from attacking and defending against other animals to tearing and grinding food.