The jaguar has long held a mystical and magical presence in American folklore and the spiritual realm, particularly with various cultures and indigenous tribes like the Maya and Aztec. Sightings are rare, but the symbolic power attributed to this elusive creature generally denotes power, wisdom, strength, and even good fortune.
Native to the Americas, the jaguar once roamed from the southwestern United States to the Amazon basin and the Rio Negro of Argentina. Designated as “Near Threatened” by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, it is the largest cat in the Americas. Today, the rainforests of the Amazon and the Pantanal wetlands in Brazil have the largest concentrations.
However, don’t expect jaguar sightings in the Amazon basin rainforests. I have known several wildlife guides working in the region for the last 20 years, and most admit to only seeing pawprints. High canopy, dense vegetation, and nocturnal hunting are some of the reasons why the jaguar remains elusive.
Fortunately, the Pantanal is different. It’s the world’s largest tropical wetlands covering 42 million acres with the bulk in Brazil. They have the world’s greatest concentration of jaguars, with an estimated 5,000 count.
Sightings are easier because the trees and shrubbery are more open in the Pantanal, and the canopy is much lower. The other unique factor is that even though jaguars are generally nocturnal, the ones living in the Pantanal have adapted differently to their environment. As a result, they are active and hunt throughout the day.
During the dry season (considered to be June-October), water levels are lower and sightings of jaguars drinking from the river increase substantially. Furthermore, narrow tributaries translate into closer sightings of these big cats on the riverbanks.
In the Pantanal, SouthWild guarantees you will have sightings of jaguars, or they will refund your tour money. But it’s just not jaguars you will see on your adventure. Expect to see caiman, capybara, river otters, birds, anteaters, and over 800 species of birds. And you might even see ocelots and tapirs – both nocturnal animals.
I spent a week with Aaron’s Photo Tours on a boat tour, receiving expert technical guidance and strategic positioning for getting not just photographs of the jaguar – but great photos.
In fact, on our first afternoon on safari, we found two jaguars in the late afternoon golden light. It was a wonderful start to an epic jaguar safari. The following is a sampling of some of the many photographs I captured during my week in Brazil.
Karin Leperi Pezo is a freelance travel writer and photographer who has traveled to 125 countries. Her published bylines and images have won many awards, both domestic and international. Areas of special interest are culture, cuisine, and cruising along with nature, wildlife, and adventure. She divides her time between Iquitos, Peru and Las Vegas, Nevada.
This is a National Geographic article if I ever saw one, and so happy I could enjoy it on your website. The photos are truly exceptional, as is Karin’s narrative of her experience. While I know I will never get to the Panatal anytime soon, this article brings me digitally to this amazing part of our planet and its gorgeous cats.