The first two Naturetrek Just Jaguars tours took place during June 2007. Although many previous Naturetrek groups had visited the Pantanal region of Brazil these were the first tours designed specifically to try and find Jaguars in this fascinating region of marshes and riverine forests. Although regarded as one of the major strongholds of Jaguars in South America, it is by no means an easy task to locate these most elusive of cats in the vastness of the Pantanal and the daily activities were carefully structured to give participants the best opportunity of finding their quarry. Despite the narrow focus of the tour a good many other birds and mammals were seen by both groups including the very rare Giant River Otter, Brazilian Tapir, Ocelot, Crab-eating Fox, and the magnificent Hyacinth Macaw, one of the rarest parrots in the world. We had hoped for multiple Jaguar sightings but the creatures remained stubbornly unco-operative until the very last day on both tours when they finally decided that they had teased us long enough and presented views for both parties, much to the relief of everyone! The first tour group were lucky enough to see a pair whilst the second had to be content with a swimming male, albeit at down to 15 metres range. These encounters were all too brief but a just reward for the guides who had worked extremely hard trying to locate these enigmatic animals for the groups. We shall be returning to Brazil in seach of Jaguars in 2008 and whilst we hope for even greater success next year nothing can ever be guaranteed and all we can promise is a determined effort to find the top predator of the Pantanal forests.
For more information visit the Just Jaguars tour page.