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Pablo Sánchez works on the front lines of conservation at the Jaguar Reintroduction Center. His daily routine includes monitoring, feeding, and tending to jaguars that will soon roam freely in Iberá’s protected wetlands.
A family tree tracks the growing jaguar population at the Jaguar Reintroduction Center on San Alonso Island. Since the program began in 2020, carefully selected males and females have been released to maximize genetic diversity, helping to reestablis
Jasy, a three-year-old male jaguar, strides past a camera trap on San Alonso Island. Born in the wild—the first jaguar cub to do so in Iberá National Park in over 70 years—Jasy represents a milestone in one of South America’s most ambitious rewilding
An aerial view of the Jaguar Reintroduction Center on San Alonso Island reveals a network of enclosures–the largest spanning 75 acres–where jaguars are carefully prepared for life in the wild.
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Rewilding Argentina personnel carefully minimize human contact with captive jaguars, a critical step in preparing them for release. Using feeding tubes and visual barriers, the team ensures that the animals do not associate humans with food, reinforc
Behind the enclosure’s barrier, Malu bares her teeth in a defensive display. Though she was born in captivity and is relatively habituated, her instinctive defensive behaviors remain intact—an essential trait shared with her wild counterparts.
A three-banded armadillo moves through the grasslands of San Alonso Island, part of Iberá National Park.
Tracking wild jaguars requires patience, expertise, and a keen eye for subtle signs. In this photograph, a Rewilding Argentina team member places his hand beside a fresh jaguar print, a critical clue in monitoring the species’ movement across San Alo
Coli, a recently released male jaguar, patrols a rain-soaked path on San Alonso Island. Data from his radio collar reveals that he traverses vast distances, often covering the entire length of the island in less than 24 hours. His movements provide v
A boat carves through the winding waterways of Iberá, the largest freshwater wetland in Argentina. San Alonso Island is only accessible by water, requiring conservation teams to navigate through a mosaic of swamps, lagoons, and floating vegetation. F
“Iberá” translates to "shiny water" in the indigenous Guaraní language, a name that reflects the way sunlight dances across its vast wetlands. Home to an intricate web of aquatic plants and wildlife, this ecosystem is one of the most biodiverse in So
A crab-eating fox prowls the grasslands of Iberá National Park, its presence a sign of a recovering ecosystem. As Rewilding Argentina reintroduces keystone species like jaguars, scientists closely monitor native carnivores to assess how the food web
Juan José Brítez navigates the Iberá Wetlands in a traditional canoe, offering visitors an intimate glimpse into one of Argentina’s most biodiverse landscapes. As ecotourism grows in Iberá National Park, local guides like Brítez play a key role in co
Giant river otters are the next species to be reintroduced into the Iberá Wetlands after disappearing from Argentina over a century ago. As apex predators, they play a crucial role in maintaining the health of aquatic ecosystems by regulating fish po
Pablo Sánchez restrains a recently captured yacaré caiman, a key prey species for jaguars. On San Alonso Island, caimans are occasionally collected to supplement feeding, helping captive jaguars develop the hunting skills they will need in the wild.
Occasionally, wild jaguars must be captured to perform routine medical checks and replace radio collars. Various methods have been tested, with one of the most effective being a spring-activated snare designed to safely restrain the animal.
A dirt road winds through the misty grasslands, leading to the Jaguar Reintroduction Center, which sits several miles from the main headquarters. Isolated within the Iberá Wetlands, the facility provides a controlled yet natural environment where jag
Pablo Guerra, Gisela Bruhn, Sebastian Navajas, Cristina Krüger, and Rudi Boekschoten scan the horizon, listening for radio signals that could reveal a jaguar’s location. As nocturnal hunters, jaguars are most active after dark, moving silently throug
Karai, a reintroduced jaguar, feeds on a freshly killed capybara, the world’s largest rodent. As the jaguar population grows in the Iberá Wetlands, scientists with Rewilding Argentina are studying its ecological impact, including how predation affect
Sedation is essential for safely conducting medical procedures on captured jaguars. Typically, veterinarians administer tranquilizers from a safe distance using a dart gun equipped with a hypodermic needle, minimizing stress on the animal while ensur
Once sedation takes effect, it’s all hands on deck. Here, Rewilding Argentina personnel work quickly and efficiently, performing multiple procedures at once on Arandu, a recently captured male jaguar.
Dental examination is a key part of a jaguar capture, offering valuable insights into the individual's overall health and diet.
After all procedures are complete, a wildlife veterinarian closely monitors the jaguar’s vital signs until the sedative begins to wear off.
Bathed in headlights, a pampas deer steps onto the road, pausing for just a moment. Rewilding Argentina personnel seize the opportunity, capturing a glimpse of a species once lost to these lands but now thriving once again.
Sebas Navajas sips yerba mate, a ritual as timeless as the grasslands stretching beyond the window.
A marsh deer stands alert in the tall grasses of Iberá National Park. As South America’s largest native deer species, marsh deer are specially adapted to wetland life, using their elongated legs to wade through swamps and flooded meadows.
Wrapped in a blanket for warmth and comfort, a young giant anteater is carefully handled by Alicia Delgado during a medical check-up.
Mercedes, an adult female, has played a key role in the giant anteater reintroduction initiative since its inception in 2007. Here, a team of veterinarians and conservationists perform a routine health check on her, ensuring she remains in optimal co
Mercedes drinks a fruit smoothie enriched with vitamins—a crucial supplement to support her health in the wild. Volunteers closely monitor her condition, ensuring she continues to thrive in her restored habitat.
Mercedes and her pup pass by an infrared sensor, activating a camera trap. For the first six months of life, giant anteater pups cling to their mother's back, relying on her for warmth, protection, and guidance as they navigate their habitat.
Jasy claws a tree, leaving behind both visual and scent marks—an essential form of jaguar communication. These markings help establish identity, territory, and reproductive status to potential mates.
Various male and female jaguars visited this spot over the course of several months.
Laia Gaitán Botero, a volunteer, carefully cleans instruments before feeding and administering medication to a red-and-green macaw chick.
Red-and-green macaw chicks hatch altricial—blind, featherless, and entirely dependent on their parents for survival. Rewilding Argentina closely monitors their weight and health in the early weeks, stepping in with supplemental feeding and medical ca
At just 10 days old, this chick weighs less than 100 grams. Regular weigh-ins are crucial for tracking growth and ensuring the chick receives the right nutrition and care during its most vulnerable stage.
While this hand-knit scarlet macaw may look like an old puppet, it’s actually a field-tested tool for fending off fiercely protective parents.
Nioky and Sopa have been vital to the success of the red-and-green macaw reintroduction program, returning to this nesting box year after year. Once they find a mate, red-and-green macaws typically stay together for life.
Coli moves past a camera trap, leaving behind a striking image of his distinctive tail—the very feature that inspired his name.