The Hardys have come to an environmental conference in New York City at the invitation of their friend Ed Yanomama, son of a Venezuelan tribal chief. But in his struggle to save the earth, Ed may end up losing his freedom. Businessman Roger O'Neill, a notorious exploiter of the rain forest, has been kidnapped in Venezuela, and the FBI has put the finger on Ed!

Convinced that Ed has been framed, Frank and Joe head for the jungles of South America. Even as they face blood-hungry bats, flesh-eating ants, and razor-toothed piranha fish, the boys discover that no animal is more vicious than man. Drawn into conflict with ruthless cattle barons and violent revolutionaries, they cut through a forest of lies toward a truth as shocking as it is deadly!