Ousado
Here you can see Ousado has lost a toe on his hind foot!
In Porto Jofre, the jaguars are closely monitored and studied by the Jaguar Identification Project, which is dedicated to the long-term study 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 and is completely unique to that individual. Since 2013, over 412 individuals have been identified, including this aging warrior, Ousado.
Ousado (meaning 'bold' or 'daring'), was first observed in 2020. He was a rescued victim from the massive fires that swept through the Pantanal in 2020. At least 17 million vertebrate animals were directly killed by fire, and 27% of the vegetation cover of the Brazilian Pantanal was destroyed. The estimate was made by a group of 30 scientists from different institutions, in an unprecedented study that took place over many months.
The Story of Ousado and His Collar (in some photos, I have edited it out)
The Ordeal: In September 2020, during some of the worst fires to ever hit the Pantanal wetlands in Brazil, Ousado was found severely injured. He had suffered third-degree burns on all four of his paws, which prevented him from walking or hunting and left him emaciated.
Rescue and Rehabilitation: A team of veterinarians and conservation organizations, including Ampara Animal and Panthera, rescued Ousado. He was airlifted for medical treatment, which included innovative stem cell therapy for his burns. He made a quick and full recovery within 36 days.
The Collar and Release: Upon his release back into the wild in October 2020, Ousado was fitted with a GPS satellite collar. The purpose of the collar was for scientists to monitor his progress, track his movements, and ensure his successful readaptation to his natural habitat.
A Symbol of Resilience: The collar serves as a visual reminder of his incredible survival story. Despite initial concerns about his ability to survive or hunt again, Ousado thrived. He is now a dominant male in his territory, known for his formidable hunting skills, including a unique technique of diving underwater to ambush caimans.
The Collar's Status: The collar was intended to detach automatically after about a year, but this did not happen. Recapturing him to remove it is considered too risky for both the animal and the team. Ousado still wears the collar and is frequently sighted by tourists and researchers, known as the "jaguar ambassador" of the Northern Pantanal.
Ousado
Here you can see Ousado has lost a toe on his hind foot!
In Porto Jofre, the jaguars are closely monitored and studied by the Jaguar Identification Project, which is dedicated to the long-term study 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 and is completely unique to that individual. Since 2013, over 412 individuals have been identified, including this aging warrior, Ousado.
Ousado (meaning 'bold' or 'daring'), was first observed in 2020. He was a rescued victim from the massive fires that swept through the Pantanal in 2020. At least 17 million vertebrate animals were directly killed by fire, and 27% of the vegetation cover of the Brazilian Pantanal was destroyed. The estimate was made by a group of 30 scientists from different institutions, in an unprecedented study that took place over many months.
The Story of Ousado and His Collar (in some photos, I have edited it out)
The Ordeal: In September 2020, during some of the worst fires to ever hit the Pantanal wetlands in Brazil, Ousado was found severely injured. He had suffered third-degree burns on all four of his paws, which prevented him from walking or hunting and left him emaciated.
Rescue and Rehabilitation: A team of veterinarians and conservation organizations, including Ampara Animal and Panthera, rescued Ousado. He was airlifted for medical treatment, which included innovative stem cell therapy for his burns. He made a quick and full recovery within 36 days.
The Collar and Release: Upon his release back into the wild in October 2020, Ousado was fitted with a GPS satellite collar. The purpose of the collar was for scientists to monitor his progress, track his movements, and ensure his successful readaptation to his natural habitat.
A Symbol of Resilience: The collar serves as a visual reminder of his incredible survival story. Despite initial concerns about his ability to survive or hunt again, Ousado thrived. He is now a dominant male in his territory, known for his formidable hunting skills, including a unique technique of diving underwater to ambush caimans.
The Collar's Status: The collar was intended to detach automatically after about a year, but this did not happen. Recapturing him to remove it is considered too risky for both the animal and the team. Ousado still wears the collar and is frequently sighted by tourists and researchers, known as the "jaguar ambassador" of the Northern Pantanal.