This is the moment a jaguar’s eyes glow in the darkness as it approaches a hidden camera in the jungle.
The footage was captured by monitoring cameras installed in the jungle near the city of Tulum, in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo on 14th and 16th January, with the video released on 15th March.
The video shows the jaguar, identified by experts as a young male, wandering through the jungle and going right past the camera trap.
But other images then show it coming back towards the camera at night, emerging under cover of darkness and walking towards the device, its eyes lighting up brightly as they catch the light.
The striking glow is caused by a reflective layer at the back of the eyes found in many nocturnal animals, which reflects incoming light and improves vision in low-light conditions, making it easier for them to hunt prey.
Authorities said the footage was obtained using camera traps placed as part of wildlife monitoring efforts coordinated by the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas and a community surveillance group.
Specialists identified the animal as a jaguar (Panthera onca), a carnivorous mammal of the Panthera genus and the only species of its kind found in the Americas.
The species is classified as near-threatened according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The young male remained in the area for several days, showing that conservation measures are allowing the species to continue using its natural habitat despite pressure from tourism.
Officials added that the sighting highlights the ecological importance of the region and the need to continue protecting its biodiversity.
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