World Animal Protection Launches Documentary Showcasing the Stages from Rescue to Xamã’s Reintroduction into the Wild
Film about the jaguar cub found during the wildfires in Sinop (MT) in 2022 highlights Xamã’s recovery process and raises awareness of agribusiness impacts on wildlife.
São Paulo, February 16, 2025 – Fighting for survival before even realizing oneself as an individual – this was the great challenge faced by Xamã, a male jaguar who, in October 2024, was reintroduced into the forest nearly two years after being rescued.
This story of resilience is the focus of the documentary “Xamã: A Jaguar’s Fight for Survival After the Amazon Fires | Conservation Story”, directed by filmmaker Emi Kondo and released by World Animal Protection on February 22 in Paraty (RJ), with public access available on YouTube.
“In 2022, the year Xamã was found, Mato Grosso was the most affected state by wildfires in the country. The burned area was almost the size of Denmark. We lose an entire generation in the forest,” explains Júlia Trevisan, wildlife coordinator at World Animal Protection.
In this context, Xamã, approximately two months old, was rescued on a farm in Sinop (MT) – a leading agribusiness city – cornered, dehydrated, without his mother, and with no chance of survival. The documentary showcases the initial care the animal received, the transport process to the rehabilitation facility in the Amazon – maintained by Onçafari – and the jaguar’s entire journey to regain the ability to live freely, exhibiting the species’ natural behaviours.
The film highlights impactful moments in this journey, such as the emotional reaction of the expert team when they revisit the location where Xamã was rescued, the biologists’ celebration when the jaguar stops being submissive – no longer showing his belly but instead lurking in response to the presence of other animals, a vital survival behaviour – and the long-awaited moment of release.
The narrative includes testimonies from veterinarian and professor Dr. Elaine Dione of the Federal University of Mato Grosso (UFMT), Onçafari’s reintroduction coordinator Leonardo Sartorello, and biologist Júlia Trevisan from World Animal Protection. These three professionals played key roles in Xamã’s rescue and reintroduction to his natural habitat.
To watch the video: https://youtu.be/ImjINYx8QZQ
Defaunation No, Refaunation Now!
The documentary ” Xamã: A Jaguar’s Fight for Survival After the Amazon Fires | Conservation Story” is part of World Animal Protection’s campaign to raise awareness about the impacts of agribusiness on wildlife, leading to defaunation. Rescue and rehabilitation actions, such as Xamã’s case, highlight the critical importance of refaunation in maintaining ecosystem balance. The NGO also released the song “Defaunation”, with lyrics by Carlos Rennó and music by Péricles Cavalcanti, performed by Ney Matogrosso, Zahy Tentehar, Frejat, Letrux, and Mahmundi. The song is available on major streaming platforms, aiming to draw attention to the issue. The documentaries “BR-163 – Progress for Whom?” – which exposes the rise in deforestation and animal suffering along the country’s main grain transport highway – and “The Invisible Victims of the Climate Crisis” – which sheds light on the impacts of floods in Rio Grande do Sul and drought in the Amazon on both wildlife and livestock – further emphasize how negative effects on animal welfare are linked to the climate crisis.
Credits
Production and realization: World Animal Protection in partnership with Onçafari
Cinematography and direct sound: Noelly Castro
Post-production direction: Bijari, Rodrigo Araújo, João Rocha, João Generoso, Mariano Moreno
Editing and color grading: Guilherme Santos Peres
Music editing and mixing: Cordel Áudio
Camera trap footage: Onçafari
Duration: 15 minutes
