One of the largest wetland of any kind, the Pantanal is a tropical wetland situated in the Southern American country of Brazil (where 80% of this wetland lies) and shares some of its portion with neighbouring countries of Bolivia and Paraguay. Wetland is commonly described as a land area that is saturated with water, depending on the season or the month. In the Pantanal, 80% of its floodplains are smudged during the rainy season enriching the vast collection of biological diversity, aquatic plant and animal species.  The total area in the Pantanal wetlands is estimated over 54,000 sq. miles to 70,000 sq. miles which is around eighteen times the size of Florida everglades. Most of the Pantanal is privately owned, the national park and some private nature reserves have been given UNESCO World Heritage status in 2000.

With a vast collection of species, ranging from the elusive third largest cat - The Jaguar,  Avian birds from the Toucans, Macaws to the Ibis species and mammals from the Giant Anteaters, Capybara, Tapirs and Ocelot to name a few - Pantanal acts as a wildlife photographer’s heaven where the best in nature can be captured through a photographers lens. It’s ecosystem collection is rich and said to have over 1000 bird species, 400 fish species, 300 mammalian species, 480 reptile species and around  9000 species of different invertebrates.

Wild Navigator this week highlights Brazilian wildlife conservationist and photographer Leonardo Colombo Fleck and his Pantanal photography collection. ”Leo” as is commonly know has worked in the Pantanal for many years as a wildlife conservation scientist and researcher. He has a qualification of an MSc in Conservation Biology and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA). His experience and knowledge of the area is one of the best and is passionate about the upkeep and sustainable future of not just the Pantanal wetlands but biodiversity of Brazil as a country and South America as a continent. His collection shared with us gives a picture overview of the Pantanal, with certain species that can be found when you visit the area. 

Pantanal is undoubtly ”Planet Earth’s” greatest wildlife habitat and one of the best places for wilderness photography.

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Wild Navigator thank’s Leonardo Colombo Fleck for contributing his Pantanal collection for this post.