Erin Skoczylas

Photojournalist

The Brazilian Pantanal - Mato Grosso, Brazil

Two macaw parrots fly over the Veu Da Noiva Waterfall, in the Cerrado. The local government has already installed different dams to use for hydroelectric power. The higher parts of the cerrado create the oppertunity for hydroelectric power, however enviromentalists are agruing the dams created will mess entirly with the surrounding ecosystem.

Two macaw parrots fly over the Veu Da Noiva Waterfall, in the Cerrado. The local government has already installed different dams to use for hydroelectric power. The higher parts of the cerrado create the oppertunity for hydroelectric power, however enviromentalists are agruing the dams created will mess entirly with the surrounding ecosystem.

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Local cowboys load cargo from horseback and place it into rivers to cross the Paraguay River (O Rio Paraguayzinho). During the wet season, treks are impossible to make in much of the wetlands, therefore horses and canoes are used.

Local cowboys load cargo from horseback and place it into rivers to cross the Paraguay River (O Rio Paraguayzinho). During the wet season, treks are impossible to make in much of the wetlands, therefore horses and canoes are used.

During the Wet season, all roads into the Pantanal are sealed off. Many destinations can only be reached by flying, or days of trekking.

During the Wet season, all roads into the Pantanal are sealed off. Many destinations can only be reached by flying, or days of trekking.

Flying overhead the Pantanal, a group of cattle huddle to one of the spots of remaining land in a flooded area.

Cattle raising and agriculture is the number one reason for deforestation of the Pantanal.

Flying overhead the Pantanal, a group of cattle huddle to one of the spots of remaining land in a flooded area.

Cattle raising and agriculture is the number one reason for deforestation of the Pantanal.

Although lesser recagnized than the Amazon rainforest, the Pantanal has a the continents highest concentration of wildlife.

Although lesser recagnized than the Amazon rainforest, the Pantanal has a the continents highest concentration of wildlife.

Two Jabiru mates lay in their next at dusk. The Jabiru (Tuiuiu) is the official mascot of the Pantanal. The strange name comes from the Guaraní language meaning “Swollen neck: It can be found enarly everywhere in South America with the exception of the Andes.

Two Jabiru mates lay in their next at dusk. The Jabiru (Tuiuiu) is the official mascot of the Pantanal. The strange name comes from the Guaraní language meaning “Swollen neck: It can be found enarly everywhere in South America with the exception of the Andes.

The Hyacinth Macaw is the largest flying parrot species. Here, two hyacinth macaws gaze down through the trees.

The Hyacinth Macaw is the largest flying parrot species. Here, two hyacinth macaws gaze down through the trees.

Cowboys patrol areas for illegal cattle raising, which is frequent due to high profitability and low fines from the government.

Cowboys patrol areas for illegal cattle raising, which is frequent due to high profitability and low fines from the government.

Brazil is the worlds largest exporter for beef. The government supports the industry with low interests for agriculture and other settlements supporting deforestation.

Brazil is the worlds largest exporter for beef. The government supports the industry with low interests for agriculture and other settlements supporting deforestation.

Bruno sips coffe at the lookout farm (Fazenda) his family owns, before setting out for daily work. Bruno is only 20, but assumes that he will get married soon and take over his familys business.

Bruno sips coffe at the lookout farm (Fazenda) his family owns, before setting out for daily work. Bruno is only 20, but assumes that he will get married soon and take over his familys business.

Apart from air travel, Giant trucks also bring cargo through the wetlands. In doing so, any wildlife in its way becomes roadkill, such as this Caiman.

Apart from air travel, Giant trucks also bring cargo through the wetlands. In doing so, any wildlife in its way becomes roadkill, such as this Caiman.

Chilo has been working as a Vaquero (Cowboy) all his life. He spends most of his days in isolation, patroling isolated parts of the Pantanal for poaching and illegal cattle raising.
He visits the local village Poconé once every 3-4 months.

Chilo has been working as a Vaquero (Cowboy) all his life. He spends most of his days in isolation, patroling isolated parts of the Pantanal for poaching and illegal cattle raising.
He visits the local village Poconé once every 3-4 months.

For longer trips, Vaqueros create fortresses to store food and dried meat while patrolling the Pantanal, Here, one of the cowboys cooks up dried meat and farofa (Yuca Flour) for food during one of the heavier trips.

For longer trips, Vaqueros create fortresses to store food and dried meat while patrolling the Pantanal, Here, one of the cowboys cooks up dried meat and farofa (Yuca Flour) for food during one of the heavier trips.

Dried Meat, Farofa, and oil are the main food supplies stored in the fortresses as emergency supplies.

Dried Meat, Farofa, and oil are the main food supplies stored in the fortresses as emergency supplies.

The size of the Pantanal is ten times that of the Floridian everglades, and is 3% of world wetlands.

The size of the Pantanal is ten times that of the Floridian everglades, and is 3% of world wetlands.

Despite its global significance, less than 5% of Pantanal is protected.

Despite its global significance, less than 5% of Pantanal is protected.

Under the intense heat, workers use Tereré to keep caffeinated and cool throughout the day. Tereré is a yerba mate from Paraguay that is iced or used as a cold beverage.

Under the intense heat, workers use Tereré to keep caffeinated and cool throughout the day. Tereré is a yerba mate from Paraguay that is iced or used as a cold beverage.

A Tortoise walks freely among children observing an old uncleaned tank in Cuiabá's local aquariam. The lack of water and freewalking of the animal demonstrates the lack of funding and organization in community funds.

A Tortoise walks freely among children observing an old uncleaned tank in Cuiabá's local aquariam. The lack of water and freewalking of the animal demonstrates the lack of funding and organization in community funds.

The lack of funding in the municipality leaves public parks vandilized, and many animals neglected for the care and hygeine they need.

The lack of funding in the municipality leaves public parks vandilized, and many animals neglected for the care and hygeine they need.

A man sits behind political propoganda in a bar. Cuiabá, Brazil.

A man sits behind political propoganda in a bar. Cuiabá, Brazil.

Political cartoons mention the impeachment of Dilma Rousseff and the economic crisis.

Political cartoons mention the impeachment of Dilma Rousseff and the economic crisis.

Cuibabá is often described as living in a hot frying pan. A man walks shirtless in his antique shop to counter the extreme heat in the city.

Cuibabá is often described as living in a hot frying pan. A man walks shirtless in his antique shop to counter the extreme heat in the city.

Nilson (Left) speaks with his boss, an immigrant to Brazil from Lebanon. Many immigrants ventured to Brazils interier during the gold rush to escape political distress.

Nilson (Left) speaks with his boss, an immigrant to Brazil from Lebanon. Many immigrants ventured to Brazils interier during the gold rush to escape political distress.

Nilson (Left) and Wender (right) take a smoke break during a work break. Both are construction workers and attenders to a local business in Cuiaba.

Nilson (Left) and Wender (right) take a smoke break during a work break. Both are construction workers and attenders to a local business in Cuiaba.

At seventeen years old, Wender is working full time to support his kid, and his girlfriend. He dropped out of school when he was just fifteen years old.

At seventeen years old, Wender is working full time to support his kid, and his girlfriend. He dropped out of school when he was just fifteen years old.

Deivison walks under one of the waterfalls in the northern cerrado (higher jungle, and plains).

Deivison walks under one of the waterfalls in the northern cerrado (higher jungle, and plains).

Deivison believes that Cuiaba's future will be essential for Brazils stability. He is optimistic about future business negotiations in the region.

Deivison believes that Cuiaba's future will be essential for Brazils stability. He is optimistic about future business negotiations in the region.

Some of the labor workers sleep on a foam mat as their bed. Often comming from other parts of the Country such as the northeast, they find work in the growing economy of Cuiaba.

Some of the labor workers sleep on a foam mat as their bed. Often comming from other parts of the Country such as the northeast, they find work in the growing economy of Cuiaba.

Deivison walks on one of the main streets of the highway in Cuiaba, followed by the eyes of graffiti that run through the city.

Deivison walks on one of the main streets of the highway in Cuiaba, followed by the eyes of graffiti that run through the city.

Wender watches a group of homeless men get detained from the local police.

Wender watches a group of homeless men get detained from the local police.

"My dream is to know and see my own country! Sadly, us as Brazilians have alot less value, then those people that come from outside the country. An immigrant can come to brazil and have an easy cway to a job, to a house, to a car, but we.. dont have an easy way to anything."

"My dream is to know and see my own country! Sadly, us as Brazilians have alot less value, then those people that come from outside the country. An immigrant can come to brazil and have an easy cway to a job, to a house, to a car, but we.. dont have an easy way to anything."

Many workers work from dawn to dusk. In the peak hours of the day, the heat can become unbearable and workers return to their rooms on site.

Many workers work from dawn to dusk. In the peak hours of the day, the heat can become unbearable and workers return to their rooms on site.