The guide captured the creature, put it in a sack and stored it on top of the vehicle, with the intention to take it back to the hotel and show it to the part of the group that had decided to pass on the morning outing. The snake got out of the bag, dropped down into the car and was met by screaming tourists who began batting at it in fear. Animals are not to be persecuted, and especially not captured. This is posted at the entrance to the northern Pantanal. One key to an ecotour is knowledge, but a more important key is respect for the flora and fauna of the areas.
Many tour operators believe they are operating an ecotour business.
They are using local vehicles, staying in Pantanal lodges and hiring locals as guides. A closer look at the situation in the northern Pantanal where I have my experience reveals another picture. Interests that are not indigenous own all but a few lodges, and they own all of the large profitable lodges. The few lodges owned by Pantaneiros do not have the economic power to expand, as more and more tourists go to the larger lodges with more amenities. Using local hotels, rental buses and so forth is a part of running a nature-tour business and does not automatically make a tour operator an ecotour operator.