TRAVEL

TRAVEL

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

ANALOGY OF THE REPTILE AND IMELDA

 

 

 

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.

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Hunt: This jaguar was filmed launching a ferocious attack on a caiman as it basked in the sun in western Brazil. Above, the animal crouches down as it plans its attack

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Hunt: This jaguar was filmed launching a ferocious attack on a caiman as it basked in the sun in western Brazil. Above, the animal crouches down as it plans its attack

Stealth: The 20-stone cat stalked the reptile while it lay on a sandbank by the Cuiaba River in the Pantanal Wetlands. Above, the jaguar glides silently across the river

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Stealth: The 20-stone cat stalked the reptile while it lay on a sandbank by the Cuiaba River in the Pantanal Wetlands. Above, the jaguar glides silently across the river

In danger: The cat, nicknamed 'Mick Jaguar' by biologists in the region, is captured approaching the small island, while the Yacare caiman relaxes leisurely in the sun

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In danger: The cat, nicknamed 'Mick Jaguar' by biologists in the region, is captured approaching the small island, while the Yacare caiman relaxes leisurely in the sun

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.'

Watch the incredible moment jaguar creeps up to attack caiman

 

Eyeing up his prey: The male jaguar can be seen eagerly eyeing up the four-legged reptile as it creeps onto the sandbank in western Brazil's Pantanal Wetlands

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Eyeing up his prey: The male jaguar can be seen eagerly eyeing up the four-legged reptile as it creeps onto the sandbank in western Brazil's Pantanal Wetlands

Attack: The stealthy predator then sank its teeth and claws into the back of its unsuspecting prey, before clinging onto it as it thrashed around it panic

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Attack: The stealthy predator then sank its teeth and claws into the back of its unsuspecting prey, before clinging onto it as it thrashed around it panic

Brutal: Photographer Justin Black, 39, who witnessed the attack, said: 'He lifted the 150lb caiman from the ground and trotted toward the water like it was a doggie bone'

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Brutal: Photographer Justin Black, 39, who witnessed the attack, said: 'He lifted the 150lb caiman from the ground and trotted toward the water like it was a doggie bone'

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.

Biting: The photographer, from Washington, added: 'The fact he attacked from the water is astonishing, It was reminiscent of crocs attacking land animals in Africa'

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Biting: The photographer, from Washington, added: 'The fact he attacked from the water is astonishing, It was reminiscent of crocs attacking land animals in Africa'

Vicious: The battle-scarred jaguar is estimated to be seven years old. He is almost blind in his right eye, which is believed to be due to battles defending his territory

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Vicious: The battle-scarred jaguar is estimated to be seven years old. He is almost blind in his right eye, which is believed to be due to battles defending his territory

'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.

Savage: Following the struggle, the powerful jaguar could be seen clinging onto the Yacare caiman with its strong teeth, before whisking the leathery creature away

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Savage: Following the struggle, the powerful jaguar could be seen clinging onto the Yacare caiman with its strong teeth, before whisking the leathery creature away

Victorious: According to scientists, there are an estimated 4,000-7,000 Jaguars in the Pantanal Wetlands. Above, the victorious cat drags the caiman through the river

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Victorious: According to scientists, there are an estimated 4,000-7,000 Jaguars in the Pantanal Wetlands. Above, the victorious cat drags the caiman through the river

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.

 

 

The former first lady of the Philippines Imelda Marcos celebrated her 85th birthday today by paying a solemn visit to the body of her husband.

Mrs Marcos visited the crypt of former president Ferdinand Marcos in Ilocos Norte in the north of the country and even kissed the glass coffin where his body lays in a white jacket, ceremonial sash and polished medals.

The former leader of the Philippines has remained unburied since his death in 1989 and has lay in a temperature-controlled mausoleum since 1993.

On a solemn visit to her husband's body, Imelda Marcos kisses his glass coffin as she marks her 85th birthday

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On a solemn visit to her husband's body, Imelda Marcos kisses his glass coffin as she marks her 85th birthday

Mrs Marcos said that her birthday wish was for her husband to be given a hero's burial. He has lay in this temperature-controlled crypt since 1993

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Mrs Marcos said that her birthday wish was for her husband to be given a hero's burial. He has lay in this temperature-controlled crypt since 1993

During her birthday celebrations in Ilocos Norte province in the northern Philippines, she was crowned with flowers, which is a traditional birthday ritual

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During her birthday celebrations in Ilocos Norte province in the northern Philippines, she was crowned with flowers, which is a traditional birthday ritual

And Mrs Marcos remarked that her birthday wish would be for her husband to receive a hero's burial, however this has continually been rejected by the country's government.

As well as visiting the body of her husband, Mrs Marcos, who is now a Congress Representative in the Philippines, attended mass with her son, Ferdinand Jr who is a senator and her governor daughter Imee Marcos.

During the service she sang with a priest and was also presented with a crown made of flowers, which is a traditional birthday ritual.

The former first lady and current Congress Representative blows out the candle on her 85th birthday cake which has a shoe decoration on top

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The former first lady and current Congress Representative blows out the candle on her 85th birthday cake which has a shoe decoration on top

She also handed out cookies to supporters of her and her late husband with shoe decorations on them

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She also handed out cookies to supporters of her and her late husband with shoe decorations on them

Mrs Marcos poses for a photo with her son, senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr, during her birthday celebrations. She hinted he might stand for the presidency at the next election

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Mrs Marcos poses for a photo with her son, senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr, during her birthday celebrations. She hinted he might stand for the presidency at the next election

She also attended a mass with her son, left as well as her daughter Imee Marcos, centre, who is also a governor in the country

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She also attended a mass with her son, left as well as her daughter Imee Marcos, centre, who is also a governor in the country

Congresswoman Imelda Marcos sings a Visayan love song with a priest during her birthday celebrations

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Congresswoman Imelda Marcos sings a Visayan love song with a priest during her birthday celebrations

She also visited her constituents in the district of Ilocos Norte where she handed them cash gifts.

A party was also held in her honour in her family's stronghold in the northern Philippines and she blew out a candle on a cake topped with a shoe decoration.

The former first lady was found to own 3,400 pairs of shoes after her husband was ousted from office in 1986.

Mrs Marcos smiles as some young supporters serenade her and presented her with a birthday cake

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Mrs Marcos smiles as some young supporters serenade her and presented her with a birthday cake

Imelda Marcos is assisted by her bodyguards during birthday celebrations A crowd gather around Imelda Marcos as she hands out cash to her constituents      

Bodyguards help Mrs Marcos down the steps, left, where she is greeted by supporters eager to wish her a happy birthday

Children clamber around the 85-year-old former first lady, who handed out cash to the crowds

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Children clamber around the 85-year-old former first lady, who handed out cash to the crowds

Mrs Marcos remains popular in the northern Philippines, which is a stronghold for the Marcos family

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Mrs Marcos remains popular in the northern Philippines, which is a stronghold for the Marcos family

Mrs Marcos, was accused but never convicted of stealing state billions to support a lavish lifestyle during her late husband's 20 year rule, while many in the country faced poverty.

But she could be planning a return to the Philippines presidential palace after declaring that her son would be 'qualified' to contest the presidency at the next election.

Current president of the Philippines Benigno Aquino will end his six-year term in May 2016.

Mrs Marcos blows a kiss to her supporters who gathered to greet her before she attended mass

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Mrs Marcos blows a kiss to her supporters who gathered to greet her before she attended mass

Supporters were keen to wish the former first lady a happy birthday with this woman greeting Mrs Marcos with a kiss on the cheek

Supporters were keen to wish the former first lady a happy birthday with this woman greeting Mrs Marcos with a kiss on the cheek

One supporters kisses the hand of Mrs Marcos during the celebrations to mark her 85th birthday

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One supporters kisses the hand of Mrs Marcos during the celebrations to mark her 85th birthday

 

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