Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden - Brazil Conservation and Wildlife Expedition

Join Mollie O’Neil, Director of Community Partnerships in Conservation at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden on a conservation-focused journey into Brazil’s Pantanal, one of the richest wildlife regions on Earth.

For years, the Zoo has supported ICAS (Instituto de Conservação de Animais Silvestres), and this program offers a rare opportunity to see that partnership firsthand. You’ll meet researchers, visit active field sites, and learn how science and community collaboration are protecting giant anteaters, tapirs, armadillos, and other vulnerable species.

The Pantanal’s vast wetlands support remarkable wildlife densities, and at Porto Jofre you’ll explore the river systems that hold the highest concentration of wild jaguars on the planet. Three full days of boat-based excursions provide outstanding opportunities to observe these apex predators while gaining insight into ongoing research and habitat protection.

Your journey continues to Brazil’s Atlantic Forest to visit the Golden Lion Tamarin Association, where decades of restoration have brought this iconic species back from the brink of extinction. Walking the restored corridors offers a firsthand look at conservation success in action.

Thoughtful logistics, including charter flights into remote areas and a wildlife-rich overland drive on the Transpantaneira, ensure you spend more time in the field and less in transit. Lodges and hotels are selected for comfort, atmosphere, and connection to the landscapes you’re exploring.

This program is more than a wildlife trip—it’s a meaningful look at conservation in action, shaped by the Zoo’s longstanding commitment to protecting species and ecosystems across Brazil.