A jaguar was shot dead by the Brazilian army just minutes after participating as a “mascot” for an Olympic torch ceremony in the Amazon city of Manaus.
The female jaguar, named Juma, was chained by the neck and held a few feet away from the lighting of the Olympic torch, which took place Monday at a zoo attached to a military training center. Juma slipped away from her leash as she was being taken back to her cage following the ceremony, the Daily Mail reported.
The animal, despite being tranquilized, started to approach a solider, who fired one fatal shot, the army said.
“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, Reuters reported. “We guarantee that there will be no more such incidents at Rio 2016.”
The shooting sparked backlash from animal rights activists who questioned why the animal was involved in the Olympic event at all.
“When will people (and institutions) stop with this sick need to show power and control by confining, taming and showcasing wild animals?” the Rio de Janeiro-based Animal Freedom Union said on its Facebook page, Reuters reported.
The Amazon Institute of Environmental Protection (IPAAM) has launched an inquiry, saying it had not given permission for Juma to be used at the event.
“No request was made to authorize the participation of the jaguar ’Juma’ in the event of the Olympic torch,” Ipaam said in a statement.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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