
Pantanal: World's Greatest Wildlife Refuge Near Campo Grande
Campo Grande is the gateway to the Pantanal — the world's largest tropical wetland — where jaguars are seen regularly, giant otters fish the rivers, and the bird diversity is unlike anywhere on earth
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Jaguar Encounters on the River
The Pantanal's jaguar population is the most visible on earth – boat tours on the Cuiabá and Paraguay rivers routinely see the cats resting, swimming and hunting caiman on the riverbanks
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Giant River Otter Families
The giant river otter – one of the world's most endangered mammals – has recovered in the Pantanal; family groups cooperating in rivers are among the most spectacular wildlife behaviors
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Hyacinth Macaw
The endangered hyacinth macaw - the world's largest parrot - is common in the Pantanal; the brilliant cobalt blue of the birds against the green of the palm trees is one of South America's great wildlife sightings
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Caiman in thousands
Spectacled caiman are so numerous in the Pantanal that the wetland floor seems to move at dusk as thousands emerge to feed — the concentration of crocodiles is extraordinary
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Tuiuiú Jabiru Stork
The Jabiru stork — the largest flying bird in the Americas — nests in the Pantanal in spectacular colonies; the birds' red and black neck markings and large wingspan make them unmistakable
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Sunset Boat Safari
The Pantanal sunset boat safari — silhouettes of capybara, caiman and giant heron against a fiery orange sky, with the sounds of frogs and night birds beginning — is one of nature's greatest spectacles