In the Enconto das Águas State Park we have been extremely fortunate to have found a location where wild jaguar viewing is possible. Jaguar tourism is a fairly new wildlife tourism attraction. In the past jaguars were practically impossible to fine and observe, mainly do to the environments in which they live. However, Enconto das Águas is a special place. Here jaguar spotting is quite easy depend
ing on the time of the year. During the dry season months of July-October, when the water level in the Pantanal is at its lowest, jaguars tend to congregate along the major water sources along with their major prey species. Enconto das Águas State Park is located where three different rivers come together hence the translation of the name “meeting of the waters”. Since Jaguars are aquatic cats, meaning they prefer wet environments, the Pantanal is considered a perfect jaguar habitat. While navigating through these rivers we are able to find jaguars resting and hunting along the riverbanks. Jaguars are also coming to this area to mate and reproduce. Although we think that Enconto das Águas State Park probably has a higher jaguar density than many other park in Brazil, in truth, most of the credit for our phenomenal jaguar viewing should go to the various fishermen, whom over the years, have unconsciously accustomed this population of jaguars to the movement and noise of small motor boats. The effect of this is that the jaguars of Enconto das Águas State Park, which are inherently shy and secretive animals, have become relaxed around motor boats, allowing for an unparalleled jaguar viewing experience. As a consequence of these jaguars becoming relaxed, we have been able to, over time, follow the various lineages and document the lives of individual jaguars. Since the early 2000’s, when jaguar tourism in this area began we have been cataloging individual jaguars in the park. A jaguars spot pattern is unique between individuals, much like a human figure print. Using facial, left and right photographs we are able to ID jaguars and build a type of Jaguar Guide. This has provided us with an amazing amount of information. A lot of this information on the individual jaguars and their lineages will be collected and shared on this page. The point of this page is for us to share what we know about these jaguars and for you to be apart of it. If you have spent time in the Enconto das Águas State Park and have a detailed photo of a jaguar you saw there, please post your photo to our page and we will respond back with information about this jaguar. If this jaguar has yet to be recorded in this park, the person who sends the first photo has naming rights.
