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#332

06-14-2021, 05:42 AM

Gatuna female Hunting.

Miranda - Pantanal - MS - Brazil

credits: G.Kayano

G.Kayano

Gatuna's hunt (part 1). ''We were out in the field when we got a call on the radio, saying that Gatuna, one of the Jaguars monitored by @oncafari was on the move, stalking a group of Capybaras in a water hole closeby. We immediately drove there, to find her walking along the margins. The Capybaras, confident in their superior swimming skills, stayed in the water and swam away, making calls of warning, eyes on the predator.''

VIDEO

Gatuna's hunt (part 2). ''After a while moving around the Capybara group, Gatuna was able to find a few stranded individuals hiding in the tall grass on a shallower flooded area. This terrain could allow her to jump and potentially reduce the Capybara's advantage on the water. The first attack showed how agile Capybaras can be as it quickly evaded the Jaguar. The second attempt came out really close, making the Capybara retreat to dry land by the road. However, the young Capybara had the advantage and was able to get away running. I'm sorry about all the shakiness of the video. The car was moving and I had no tripod.''

Pass he arrow to the side to see Gatuna's hunt attempt on video.

*This image is copyright of its original author

Gatuna's hunt (part 3). ''Frustraded, Gatuna can't do much else other than watch the stranded Capybara get away safely.''

*This image is copyright of its original author

Gatuna's hunt (part 4). ''Later in the afternoon, after a quick rest under the shade of the hammock vegetation, Gatuna set out for another attempt, relentless and resolute. We had been watching her for over two hours, sitting in the sun with swarms of mosquitos to keep us company. Totally worth it. ''

VIDEO

*This image is copyright of its original author

Gatuna's hunt (part 5). ''We had just a few moments before sunset, and it was almost dark. Gatuna wandered around, increasingly harder to spot, but it seemed like there were no more Capybaras left in the area. Slowly, she went into the flooded grassy area and disappeared behind the hammock vegetation.''

*This image is copyright of its original author

Gatuna's Hunt (part 6). ''Watching the sunset with the heart still pounding, the images of the hunt were still vivid. Gatuna was nowhere to be found. We were excited. Afterall, witnessing a Jaguar actively stalk and attack prey is not something you see everyday. We were about to head out, hoping to catch dinner atthe village when suddenly we heard water splashing and sounds that hinted a struggle, just a few meters from us. And then we saw it: Gatuna had caught a large Capybara, and had her sharp fangs buried deep in the poor animal's neck, who hopelessly tried to escape. The Capybara's cries can be heard in the video, being suffocated by such powerful jaws. After the kill, Gatuna slowly dragged the Capybara's dead body across the road and vanished into the darkness. What a day! I'm glad we decided to miss dinner.''

Pass the arrow to the side to see the video of Gatuna locking her jaws on the Capybara in the water.