Brazilian Soldier Shoots Jaguar Dead After Olympic Torch Ceremony

Samer Kalaf|published: Tue 21st June, 17:20 2016

Brazil’s Olympic team mascot, Ginga. Not the dead jaguar. Photo: [object Object]

A Brazilian soldier shot a jaguar after an Olympic torch ceremony Monday in Manaus, Amazonas, after the animal got loose and approached him, according to a report from Reuters.

The jaguar was there while the Olympic flame made a stop at CIGS Zoo, a zoo maintained by the Brazilian army. Reuters photographed the jaguar, named Juma, at the ceremony before she was killed:

The soldier reportedly killed the jaguar, which was already tranquilized, with one shot from a pistol.

The report acquired a statement from the local Olympic committee:

“We made a mistake in permitting the Olympic torch, a symbol of peace and unity, to be exhibited alongside a chained wild animal. This image goes against our beliefs and our values,” the local organizing committee Rio 2016 said in a statement, adding “We guarantee that there will be no more such incidents at Rio 2016.”

[ Reuters]

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