Pat Spain participated in the most extreme tribal ritual, accidentally smuggled weapons, and almost lost his mind in the Amazonian rainforest for this book.
Pat Spain participated in the most extreme tribal ritual, accidentally smuggled weapons, and almost lost his mind in the Amazonian rainforest for this book.
Adventure, Brazil, Topic - animals
“This is the scene everyone will remember,” is how the director described the bullet-ant ceremony moments before Pat Spain took his place in the line of initiates. If online views, memes, family parties, and talk-show mentions are the measure, he wasn’t wrong. The Tucandeira ceremony of the Sateré-Mawé is known as the most extreme ritual in the world, and Pat agrees with that assessment wholeheartedly. After hosting hundreds of hours of wildlife-adventure TV programs, Pat is no stranger to the pain animals can inflict, but the bullet ants took this to an entirely new level. On the Hunt in Brazil is an unblinking look into Pat’s journey through Amazonia with a National Geographic film crew, attempting to uncover the truth behind the mythical mapinguari - a giant one eyed monster who can kill you with a scream. Over the course of two weeks, Pat participates in the Tucandeira, smuggles weapons on an aircraft, accidentally exposes himself to old people, learns that Brazil’s sexy reputation is well deserved, and hears an ancient legend, never before shared with a Westerner, that points him towards a conclusion about the mapinguari and a surprising explanation for the seemingly tall-tales.
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Pat Spain is that rare thing; a rationalist who still embraces the possible and knows that there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of. A grown-up who has lost none of the childhood wonder and curiosity that makes the world magical. A scientist who keeps an open mind and rejoices in the fact that absence of proof is not proof of absence. There is nobody I’d want to travel with more to explore the wild side of our literally extraordinary planet. Buckle up and prepare for adventures. ~ Harry Marshall, Chairman and Co-Founder of Icon Films
For many years I have been a raving fan of Pat’s work and proudly boast Beast Hunter as my all-time favorite crypto-history series. I’ve watched his Bullet Ant ritual many times but to read and learn about the entire journey was absolutely fascinating. Clutched to the edge of my seat, I found myself glued to each and every word. As someone who has felt the burning wrath of an intentional Bullet Ant sting, I can attest to the insane level of pain that comes from just a single dose of venom, but to wear the gloves and take an onslaught of stings is a level of bravery that deserves medals. Pat truly defines what it means to be an adventurer and in the spirit of the Sateré-Mawé tribe what it means to be… a hunter! ~ Coyote Peterson, Host of Brave Wilderness
Enrapturing and brilliant. Pat Spain sweeps us along on true adventures in the biological world that have us laughing, crying, and shivering all at the same time. His brilliantly described first-hand participation in the Sateré-Mawé manhood ritual involving dozens of bullet ant stings, a feat beyond even the most lion-hearted of Westerners, has us hallucinating along with him as the pain reaches a crescendo… and then beyond. A book not to be missed. ~ Justin O. Schmidt, author of The Sting of the Wild
A true modern-day explorer, Pat Spain has produced an exciting and informative account of his adventures that brings the readers along for the ride. That is probably as close as most readers would feel comfortable with! ~ Cliff Barackman – host of Finding Bigfoot and co-owner of the North American Bigfoot Center
