Traps in the Igapó

Searching for New Species on the Borders of Rio Purus

A Documentary by Basil Minder
in Cooperation with Dr. Alexander Persequilo

The Expedition

Map showing the Amazon Basin in South America with a marker indicating a specific location within the highlighted river system in Brazil.
Silhouette of Ecuador's map.
Silhouette of a squirrel standing upright on its hind legs
Silhouette of a rat standing on its hind legs.
Silhouette of a monkey sitting with a long tail

Amazon basin | Purus river

Silhouette of a monkey sitting with a curved tail

A dedicated team of 11 biologists and 6 crew members embarks on an extraordinary month long expedition along the winding Rio Purus under the lead of Prof. Dr. Alexander Percequilo. For the first time, a cinematographer joins them in the remote and challenging areas of the Amazon to study the wildlife abundance of small rodents, bats, and herpetofauna, aiming to discover new species. The documentary takes viewers on a journey,
showcasing the raw beauty and challenges of the Amazon rainforest.

Besides the different types of traps, and pitfall corridors to catch rodents and small mammals, they set up nets in high-altitudes in the tree canopy, and over water to captures bats.

The documentary explains in detail, how data gathering works, what samples are collected, how they get processed, and highlights the importance of this work. Further we provide extensive information about the animals collected, research methods, and the Amazon itself.

Small Expedition-Gallery

Shot on Sony a7iii | Dji Mavic 2 Pro

f.l.t.r.: Dr. A. Persequilo, Dr. J. Rodrigues do Prado and Field assistant Felipe

Temporary laboratory on our boat, with Dr. Gregorin collecting ectoparasites on a bat.
These cute bats have a white marking on their face and yellow ears, probably from the genus Vampyrodes.
A floating house of one of the many communities we passed along the journey.

A bat that eventually once escaped from a predator, equipped with a well developed nose-leaf.
One of the rodents we captured.

11 Researcher
1 Goal

Epicrates cenchria

Hydrops martii

Oxrhopus occipitalis

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  • This documentary was filmed entirely for free, with research funds simply covering flight and accommodation costs. Now, as we shift into the post-production phase, we’re working in Switzerland, collaborating professionals in the field. However, to bring this project to life, we need a budget. This includes crucial expenses such as editing, sound design, and color grading. Additionally, we require financial support for licenses and applications to entry film festivals. Your contribution will empower us to elevate this documentary to its fullest potential, showcasing science and field work in the Brazilian Amazon

  • Music Licenses and Storytelling: Elevating the narrative is paramount, and securing music, font, and transitions licenses will significantly enrich the storytelling canvas of our film. These elements are not just accessories; they’re integral to crafting an immersive experience that resonates with viewers on an emotional level.

    Publication and Festival Applications: Our ambition is to submit our film to top-tier festivals where it can shine and ultimately win awards. Your support is crucial in covering the costs of application fees and entry submissions. This investment will enhance our chances of connecting with a broader audience and garnering the recognition our film deserves.

  • Help us make this movie! We thank you for your support, no matter how big or small. Your contribution brings us one step closer to bringing this extraordinary story to life! By telling your friends and family about this project, you already made an important contribution. Thank you for your support!

2.9% Cover the Fee

By donating, you support JungleLens' natural history documentaries and video projects. While not a registered nonprofit, donations are not tax-deductible, but every contribution—big or small—helps bring these stories to life. Refund Policy: Donations are non-refundable, as they are voluntary contributions toward our mission.

Meet the Researcher

  • Bald man with a beard standing in a forest, wearing a gray shirt with a red string.

    Prof. Dr. Alexandre Reis Percequillo

    Mastozoologist
    Sigmodontinae (Mice & Rats)
    University of São Paulo

    Expedition Leader

  • Smiling person wearing a cap in a forested area

    Prof. Dr. Ana Paula Carmignotto

    Mastozoologist
    Didelphidae (Opposums)
    The Federal University of São Carlos

  • Man with a beard smiling in a forest

    Prof. Dr. Edson Fiedler de Abreu Jr

    Curator of Mammals
    Sciuridae (Squirrels)
    Angelo State University

  • Woman in a blue shirt smiling on a boat with a waterfront background.

    Prof. Dr. Joyce Rodrigues do Prado

    Curator of Mammals
    Muridae (Rodents)
    Museum of Zoology
    University of São Paulo

  • Man wearing a headlamp in a dark outdoor setting.

    Prof. Dr. Renato Gregorin

    Chiropterologist
    Chiroptera (Bats)
    The Federal University of Lavras

  • A woman with glasses and a purple shirt standing outdoors near a body of water with trees in the background.

    Dr. Ana Lazar

    Post doctoral researcher
    National Museum of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

  • Smiling man wearing a gray shirt and hat in a forest setting.

    Dr. Jose Cassimiro

    Herpetologist
    University of São Paulo

  • Smiling person wearing glasses, in front of a blurred green foliage background.

    Maria C. S. Ribeira

    Doctoral student
    The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

  • Woman smiling on a boat with clothes hung to dry in the background.

    Joyce A. Voltolini

    Graduate student
    Institudo Butantan

  • Person with glasses smiling outdoors near water and trees.

    Aramide G. Oladiran

    Undergraduate student
    Angelo State University

  • A woman smiling joyfully in a sunlit forest, wearing a dark blue shirt with long dark hair and a nose ring.

    Camila M. M. Ishizaki

    Undergraduate student
    University of São Paulo

A person in a forest setting crouching near a tortoise, holding a camera with a large lens, surrounded by leaves and greenery.

Basil Minder, MSc
Producer, Director of Photography

Bold black USP logo with stylized letters on a white background
Logo of Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) featuring a classical warrior profile in an oval frame.
Ural Federal University logo, featuring a blue circle with white diagonal lines and green text on the right.
UFSCar logo with stylized design
Angelo State University logo with blue and yellow colors
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