On the Expedition
In an age of vanishing wetlands, the Pantanal must be saved as an oasis of biodiversity for an entire planet.
Brazil’s Pantanal is so enormous that early European explorers thought they had discovered a great inland sea. The Pantanal is the world's largest freshwater wetland, a spectacular refuge of lakes, waterways, and islands brimming with the greatest concentration of wildlife in South America.
There are currently four research projects you can join in > the Pantanal (see Dates and Signup Details for schedule):
Amphibians and Reptiles of Brazil's Pantanal
You’ll work in a diverse range of Pantanal habitats, ranging from meandering wetlands to shady forests, using a variety of methods to catch and record red-footed tortoises, false water cobras, tiny tree frogs, and many other animals. As a participant in the Pantanal regional initiative, you may also spend part of your time working on a related project, enriching your experience of this world-class natural area. Your recreational time will be perfect for bird watching or canoeing on the Rio Negro in search of capybaras, tapirs, and other wildlife. You will also get opportunities to interact with the local pantaneiros (cowboys) and learn about their rich culture.
Bats of Brazil's Pantanal
You’ll spend your days on forest trails sampling flowering and fruiting plants and your nights capturing bats with mist nets, taking bat measurements, and collecting parasite samples from bats.* Day and night shifts switch halfway through the trip, giving you two distinct perspectives on the Pantanal's rich habitats. You’ll gain a new appreciation for these tiny mammalian guardians of ecosystem health, animals that don’t deserve their fearsome reputation. Depending on your team, you may also spend time on another research project at the Pantanal field center. On your recreational time you can relax in the shade, go bird watching, or explore the river by boat.
* Your level of physical contact with the bats is totally up to you; if you want to handle them you’ll be required to get a rabies vaccination before your expedition.
Birds of Brazil's Pantanal
Working in both wetlands and forests, you’ll use a variety of sampling methods to count and band birds for later identification. You’ll observe and record foraging and mating, tape songs and calls, and collect samples to analyze food sources. With more than 690 different species of birds known to be in the area, you’ll have plenty of work to do—and also a good chance of helping identify new species and uncover important data about how birds depend upon the health of the Pantanal.
Otters of Brazil's Pantanal
You’ll spend your days on the water or on the scenic banks of rivers and wetlands. When you locate otters, you’ll help videotape them and record their eating behavior. You’ll also identify otter dens and other important otter habitats. Depending on your team, you may spend part of your time working on an exciting complimentary project.
Meals and Accommodations
You’ll stay at a comfortable fazenda (ranch) in the most pristine part of the Pantanal, where wildlife is visible from each breezy porch. The fazenda is graced by shady trees and features shared rooms, electricity, hot water showers, and internet access. Delicious and plentiful meals featuring traditional Brazilian dishes of rice and beans, meats, and fresh fish are prepared by local cooks.
About the Research Area
There is no other place in the world like the Pantanal, a vast wetland wilderness in the heart of Brazil. It’s an UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as a RAMSAR Wetland of International Importance, known for its natural abundance. The flat, open landscape consists of a wide range of tropical forests and savannas, a complex river network, and the largest expanse of tropical wetlands on the globe.
The region was a historically important hunting and fishing ground for povos indígenas (indigenous peoples living in Brazil before Pedro Álvares Cabral’s arrival in 1500). Today, the Guató, Kadiwéu and Terena tribes live in the region practicing agriculture, natural resource harvesting, and commerce related to traditional products and crafts. The region’s rich natural resources have also been used by many other cultures since the mid-1500s, from mining and cattle grazing to commercial and sport fishing.