Living Among Jaguars: Benjamin Joins the Jaguar ID Project for 6 Weeks in the Pantanal

Earlier this month, our founder Benjamin arrived in Brazil to begin a six-week collaboration with one of the world’s most respected wild cat research projects, the Jaguar ID Project, based in the heart of the Pantanal.

The Pantanal, the largest tropical wetland on Earth, is world-famous for harboring the highest density of jaguars anywhere. For a conservation biologist and camera trap specialist like Benjamin, it’s not just a field site—it’s a living, breathing sanctuary of apex predators and the ecosystems they shape.

“Being here in the Pantanal, surrounded by jaguars and the passionate team working to protect them, is an unforgettable experience,” Benjamin shared. “The work being done by the Jaguar ID Project is a model for community-based, science-driven conservation.”

During his stay, Benjamin is assisting with the project’s day-to-day efforts: identifying individual jaguars using spot pattern recognition, collecting data on behavior and movements, and exploring how DSLR camera traps can enhance long-term monitoring. The Jaguar ID Project has built an extensive visual database of known individuals—crucial for understanding population trends, territory use, and human-wildlife interactions.

Benjamin’s visit also opens the door for deeper collaboration between The Wild Cat Imaging Project and the Jaguar ID Project, with shared goals of expanding research capacity and public engagement through powerful imagery and rigorous science.

The Pantanal is a stronghold for jaguars, but also a place under threat from fires, habitat loss, and unsustainable tourism. Conservation here requires cooperation, innovation, and international support.

🟡 If you’d like to help, follow along at @wildcatimagingproject and @jaguaridproject, and consider donating via the link on both projects websites. Your support directly funds the boots-on-the-ground work that keeps these majestic cats safe.