What is the Jaguar Identification Project?

The Jaguar Identification Project is a conservation initiative founded by Abbie Martin in Brazil's Pantanal region, which is home to the world's largest tropical wetland.

How did the Pantanal wildfires impact the jaguars?

The devastating wildfires in 2020 and 2021 killed millions of animals and destroyed large swaths of the Pantanal's vegetation. However, many of the jaguars monitored by Abbie Martin's team were able to survive, including one named Ousado who was rescued and rehabilitated after suffering severe burns.

Home / Environment / Conservationist Risks All to Rescue Jaguars from Raging Pantanal Wildfires

Conservationist Risks All to Rescue Jaguars from Raging Pantanal Wildfires

Q: What did Abbie Martin do to help the jaguars during the Pantanal fires?

When the fires broke out in 2020, Abbie Martin was unable to travel to the Pantanal. But she and a friend launched a successful fundraising campaign to support a team of volunteers fighting the fires and protecting the local community. In 2021, when the fires returned, Martin joined the volunteer efforts, risking her own safety to help battle the flames and save the jaguar reserve.

12 Nov

•

Summary

Pantanal region in Brazil hit by devastating wildfires in 2020 and 2021
Conservationist Abbie Martin founded Jaguar Identification Project, witnessed fires' impact
Volunteers fought fires to protect jaguar reserve, rescued injured jaguars

Conservationist Risks All to Rescue Jaguars from Raging Pantanal Wildfires

In 2025, conservationist Abbie Martin continues her efforts to protect the jaguars of Brazil's Pantanal region, which has faced relentless wildfires in recent years. In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Martin was living on a boat in the Caribbean when the worst mega-fire on record hit the Pantanal, burning 27% of the vegetation cover and killing an estimated 17 million vertebrate animals.

Unable to travel to the Pantanal at the time, Martin was devastated, suffering a panic attack as she watched the fires rage from afar. She and a friend launched a successful GoFundMe campaign, raising $90,000 to support a team of volunteers fighting the fires and protecting the community. The fires burned for four months, with the flames seemingly defying containment efforts.