How did you hear about the Pantanal of Brazil? We have a Hyacinth Macaw, and when I was invited to give a series of dental talks in Brazil, my wife and I decided to look for Hyacinth macaws in the Pantanal. The experience completely changed our lives. The habitat destruction we saw was horrible, but the animals in the wild were breathtaking. We became ambassadors for animals in the wild.

What is it about the Pantanal that draws you down there? The food, weather and wildlife are all wonderful. You'll see the largest anteater, the biggest predator on the Northern Hemisphere (jaguar), the biggest flying parrot (Hyacinth Macaw), the biggest snake (anaconda), the biggest anteater in the world (Giant anteater) and the biggest rodent in the world (capybara).

What was your best experience? In two days, we saw 6 jaguars. Our first encounter was heading up the Cuiaba River to the Jaguar Research Center; a pair of jaguars came out of the river, shook themselves off, and leisurely walked into the trees. On the second day, we saw a jaguar overlooking the river, two jaguars resting and grooming themselves, and a huge male drinking from the river, walking on the shore, settling in the shade, washing himself, and taking a nap; all at 50-100 feet !!

Where do you stay in the Pantanal? Two lodges: The Pantanal Wildlife Center is the perfect introduction to the Pantanal. The other is the Jaguar Research Center, a spacious tented camp and air-conditioned house boat, whose location puts you in the middle of wild jaguars. Tropical Nature Travel can arrange your trip.

Dr. Alan Lurie is Professor and Chair of Oral and Maxillofacial Diagnostic Sciences and Section Chair of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. He has taken students into Peru and Chile where they have delivered dental care to indigenous populations.

How did you hear about the Pantanal of Brazil? We have a Hyacinth Macaw, and when I was invited to give a series of dental talks in Brazil, my wife and I decided to look for Hyacinth macaws in the Pantanal. The experience completely changed our lives. The habitat destruction we saw was horrible, but the animals in the wild were breathtaking. We became ambassadors for animals in the wild.

What is it about the Pantanal that draws you down there? The food, weather and wildlife are all wonderful. You'll see the largest anteater, the biggest predator on the Northern Hemisphere (jaguar), the biggest flying parrot (Hyacinth Macaw), the biggest snake (anaconda), the biggest anteater in the world (Giant anteater) and the biggest rodent in the world (capybara).

What was your best experience? In two days, we saw 6 jaguars. Our first encounter was heading up the Cuiaba River to the Jaguar Research Center; a pair of jaguars came out of the river, shook themselves off, and leisurely walked into the trees. On the second day, we saw a jaguar overlooking the river, two jaguars resting and grooming themselves, and a huge male drinking from the river, walking on the shore, settling in the shade, washing himself, and taking a nap; all at 50-100 feet !!

Where do you stay in the Pantanal? Two lodges: The Pantanal Wildlife Center is the perfect introduction to the Pantanal. The other is the Jaguar Research Center, a spacious tented camp and air-conditioned house boat, whose location puts you in the middle of wild jaguars. Tropical Nature Travel can arrange your trip.

Dr. Alan Lurie is Professor and Chair of Oral and Maxillofacial Diagnostic Sciences and Section Chair of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. He has taken students into Peru and Chile where they have delivered dental care to indigenous populations.