The biggest of Brazilian Wildlife: The Big 3Every wildlife enthusiast knows Africas "Big Five". But what comes to your mind if somebody mentions to you Brazil's "Big Three"? You have not the faintest idea haven't you? Well, Southern Cross Tours & Expeditions brings to you the 3 biggest mammals South Americas (Jaguar, Giant River Otter, Southern Right Whale) in their natural habitat on land, river and ocean. It is thus the most intensive Brazilian Wildlife observation package on the market, because there is much more wildlife to be observed while on route tracking those fascinating animals. The itinerary starts in Cuiabá, capital of the state of Mato Grosso. On 4x4 wheel vehicles you take on the adventurous Transpantaneira dirt road, with destination Porto Jofre where you arrive after having passed nothing less than some 60 wooden bridges. Here, between the Cuiabá, São Francisco and Piquiri rivers, is where the Jaguar and the Giant River Otters have their habitat.
The JaguarThe word "jaguar" was given to the cat by the indigenous people of Latin America, who called it "Jag War", which means, freely translated: "the flying hunter". As the presence of the jaguar ranges from Mexico to northern Argentina, there are however other interpretations regarding the origin of its name. One is related to the Tupi-guaraní word yaguareté. The jaguar (Panthera onca) does not reach the size of tigers or lions but is known for the fact that he has the most powerful jaws of all big cats. Named “onça (onssuh) pintada” in Brazil, the jaguar finds in the northern and southern Pantanal ideal conditions and plenty food supply to reach an average weight of 103 kg for a healthy male, but jaguar males of about 150 kg have been caught in the Pantanal, which is about the double of weight of the jaguars in Central America. The jaguar is basically, but not exclusively, a nocturnal rogue, a stalk-and-ambush predator and prefers water near habitats, particularly gallery forest.
Declared as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources and included in the Convention on Intertnational Trade in Endangered Species CITES, apendix 1, the species enjoys an increase of long term survival in about 70% of its range, particularly in Brazil. Jaguars love to relax on the riverbanks in the shadow of bushes and trees of seasonally flooded wetlands, like the Pantanal. Since the animal covers great distances up to 30 kms on his nightly stalks, its observation during the day requires patience on long searches aboard our fast and keelless aluminum boats.
The Giant River OtterThe giant river otter lives in tens that he burrows into the banks of quiet and smaller tributary rivers. He is a nomad by necessity. Depending on the water level and food supply in the area he is forced however to moves frequently to other areas of the river or even to other rivers. During a certain period of the year when the water levels in the seasonally flooded wetlands are steady and the food supply remains generous, the giant otter remains in the area until the supply thins out. These are the ideal spots to observe these amazing animals. Jaguar and giant otter live in the same region. The search for the jaguar and the giant otter therefore is done simultaneously by boat.
Giant otters have been hunted extensively as they fish in large families and therefore reduce the fish population in the area significantly. The species is still much more endangered as the jaguar. It is believed that only a few thousands are surviving in the wild, mainly in Peru and Brazil. Among the threads are destruction of habitat, water pollution and poaching. The giant otter is a huge animal of the weasel family. Its length of up to 1.8 m made him the giant among the otters. They have long flexing bodies and powerful tails which they use as rudder and to propel when they swim. They also have webbed feet, water-repellent inner fur with some 70.000 hairs per cm² to keep them dry and warm, and nostrils and ears that close in the water. The giant otter lives in a highly developed social system, living and hunting in families of up to 10 members, with a prey spectrum much more limited than that of other otters. Excellent swimmers and divers they can stay several minutes under water. Their diet comprehends mostly of fish added by crustaceans, frogs, and snakes, which they hunt during the day. A litter of 1 to 6 young is delivered by the female in their underground tens. This relatively high number is needed because of natural enemies like caiman and jaguar. After ten month the young have reached the size of the adult animals. The life expectancy of a giant otter is 10 years.
Transfer to Southern BrazilOn the ninth day we take a late flight from Cuiabá to Florianópolis, the capital of the Santa Catarina state, arriving there around midnight. Overnight. Next morning 1½ hr transfer to Praia do Rosa Beach Resort and check-in one of your seafront bungalows. The resort is set on a hill, overlooking the beach and offers first class and deluxe standard in some of the bungalows. While you did not come here for all the comfort and class, you certainly will appreciate it after all these days in the "bush" chasing jaguars and giant otters. You may not know but it is not just Canada, Baja California or Peninsula Valdez which qualifies for superb whale watching. The Club “LES PLUS BELLES BAIES DU MONDE” (www.world-bays.com) included Praia do Rosa beach, in southern Brazil in its list of 28 chosen beaches, because of its natural beauty, conservation awareness and the APA, Environment Protected Area, of the Southern Right Whales (Franca) Eubalaena australis. During July-October the well over 40 tons heavy whales arriving here from the southern polar regions, hence their name, to give birth and to rise their off-spring in the protected waters of the Santa Catarina coastline. When the last SRW was killed in 1973 at Imbituba whale station the species was nearly extinct. Brazil, being signatory of the Whale Protection Act, has managed to increase again the population of both SWR and hunchback whales.
This package consist of an unusual combination of 5 days of whale watching and other activities. The Praia do Rosa and other nearby beaches are among the finest in Brazil and offer also pleasant beach riding, surfing and kite surfing. A side trip to the historic village of Laguna is included. Among other historic events in the earlier times of the colonization, the Italian freedom fighter Guiseppe Garibaldi, married to Anita Garibaldi, lived and fought here. The house where they lived together is open for visitation. Laguna also features one of the rarest spectacles on earth: The mullet fishing with the "assistance" of dolphins. The itinerary starts with an introduction given by the Institute of the Franca whales, (IBF) at the resorts facilities, with an interesting history regarding origin of the species, behavior, reproduction and presence in the region. Daily outings in state of the art rubber rafts will bring you face to face at hand shake distance with the whales. Occasionally you will be able to watch and photograph those giants of the seas right from the beach. On day 14th, after having met with Brazils "Big Three", you will be transfer back to Florianopolis airport for your journey back home or for one of our extensions
Details14 days / 13 nightsmax. 4 participants Best travel dates: best in July-October Detailed itinerary upon request Prices on request |