- Jaguar was filmed stalking Yacare caiman as it basked on sandbank by Cuiaba River in Brazil’s Pantanal Wetlands
- Could be seen gliding silently across river, before creeping onto small island and ferociously pouncing on its prey
- Photographer Justin Black, 39, from Washington, who caught the attack on camera, described it as ‘astonishing
Barely visible, it glides silently through the murky water, before creeping onto a sandbank and pouncing on its prey. This is the astonishing moment a jaguar launches a ferocious attack on an unsuspecting caiman as it basks in the sun in western Brazil.
The 20-stone cat was filmed stalking the cold-blooded reptile while it lay on a sandbank by the Cuiaba River in the Pantanal Wetlands. It could be seen swimming quietly across the river, before sneaking onto the small island and sinking its teeth and claws into the back of its prey.
It then clung onto the panicked Yacare caiman as it thrashed around, before finally whisking its leathery body away in its strong jaws. Photographer Justin Black, 39, who caught the attack on camera, said: ‘He lifted the 150lb caiman from the ground and trotted toward the water like it was a doggie bone.
‘The fact he attacked from the water is astonishing, It was reminiscent of crocs attacking land animals in Africa.’ Mr Black, from Washington, U.S., had been on a boat with fellow photographer Jeff Foott when they had spotted the jaguar stalking the caiman. ‘He slowly entered the small channel and swam up directly behind the caiman, keeping his profile as low as possible,’ he said.
‘Once at the edge he exploded from the water and onto the caiman’s back, swinging the claws of his right paw into its side. He then hooked the caiman with his left paw as well and went for a killing bite at the back of the skull – but he didn’t have a good angle. ‘In the process, his momentum carried them both into the water where he readjusted his position and his teeth found purchase on the back of the caiman’s neck.
‘He then pushed the caiman into the water broadside – pushing a bow wave ahead of them as he swam. When he reached the opposite beach he quickly disappeared into the grasses with his kill.’ The battle-scarred jaguar is well-known to biologists, who have nicknamed him ‘Mick Jaguar’. He is estimated to be seven years old and is almost blind in his right eye, a likely result of numerous battles defending his territory.
According to scientists, there are an estimated 4,000-7,000 Jaguars in the Pantanal. They have become specialist caiman killers and hunt during broad daylight, surprising the cold-blooded reptiles as they bask in the sun. They are also the largest and most powerful jaguars in South America, enabling them to take down larger prey.