Jaguar Alert

These images captures a rare and tense moment between predator and prey in South America’s vast Pantanal wetlands.

In September 2025, we sat quietly in a small tin dinghy watching two adult Giant Otters playing outside their den, where two tiny pups rested safely inside. Their soft hums and chirps — part of a wide range of social calls — revealed just how relaxed and content they were.

A jaguar stood silently on the bank above, watching and waiting as they frolicked below..

When the otters finally saw the predator, calm turned to chaos. They erupted in alarm calls — sharp, barking hah! sounds and explosive snorts — while leaping and thrashing furiously at the previously unseen threat. The adult female rushed into the den and emerged moments later with a pup held gently in her mouth. She dived into the water and swam her pup away to safety. A short while later, to our surprise, she returned with the pup still in her mouth, climbed back onto the bank, and disappeared into the den. No otters emerged again until the Jaguar was well and truly gone.

In reality, the little pup was probably not in great danger. The river was full of caiman, a far more likely target for the jaguar, and the sharp claws and teeth of adult giant otters can be formidable weapons. Most likely, the jaguar was simply curious about the commotion below — perhaps even enjoying the reaction it was causing.