Astonishingly this gray brocket (Mazama gouazoubira) was not startled by my approach (a 4×4), so I was able to take a couple of shots before it decided to move on.
Pantanal is amazing this way, or at least those areas where landowners long ago have let large portions of their farms revert back to their natural state, including hunting. If this was a hunted species, it would have been gone long before I got there.
In a way my experience of Pousada Xaraés was that of a huge garden in which almost all life had lost the fear of humans. Peccaries seemed very wary, but most other species were not panicking in the presence of humans. I guess the closest I can think of is a game reserve in Africa.
It got up, but just walked a few metres to take a good look at me. Even cattle get more startled than this!
Last updated on 8 November 2024
