A family of capyvaras, the world's largest rodent, prepare to bathe near a watering hole...

A family of capyvaras, the world's largest rodent, prepare to bathe near a watering hole in Brazil's tropical wetlands, known as the Pantanal. The area is a little gem of biodiversity that is home to 35 million -alligators and inumerous types of -birds and -reptiles. The billion-dollar "hidrovia" expansion project of the Parana river aims to dig a deeper channel along 2,100 miles of South America's second-largest river, in an attempt to boost exports of soy beans and iron ore, and bring jobs and riches to Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina and Bolivia. The end result could be imminent flooding of the plains and wiping out the flora and fauna-rich wetlands. Picture taken OCT93.