In Porto Jofre, jaguars are closely monitored and studied by the Jaguar Identification Project, dedicated to long-term research and conservation of jaguars in Brazil’s Pantanal. Each year, they create a guide reporting on the most commonly seen animals in the Porto Jofre region. Each jaguar can be identified by their spot pattern. Their entire coat is like a fingerprint, completely unique to that individual. Since 2013, over 412 individuals have been identified, including this ageing warrior, Ousado.
While jaguars are powerful swimmers, and we were able to witness many of them crossing the river close to our boats, Ousado stands out due to his unique hunting style of disappearing under the water to ambush unsuspecting caiman above. While we did not witness a successful hunt, he did demonstrate this unique method many times. It is fascinating to me how he figured out this creative technique!
