Moments after being used as a symbol for Amazonian wildlife , a Panthera onca was shoot stagnant by the military after it escaped following an Olympian torch - bearing ceremony in Brazil .
The 17 - class - sure-enough female jaguar , key Juma , was being feature as a airscrew in a Rio 2016 Olympic ceremonial occasion in Manaus , northern Brazil , on Monday . During the event , hold at a zoo attached to a military training center , the Felis onca was chain up as torch bearers and heavily armed military sentry duty stupefy with the animal for photographs .
At some point after the picture - op , Juma managed to take to the woods . The Brazilian military said that the jaguar was first hit with tranquilizer darts , but upon approaching a soldier , they decided to kill it with a single lively shot .
Reutersreports that the local Olympic citizens committee who unionise the result released a argument that read : " We made a mistake in permitting the Olympian torch , a symbol of serenity and one , to be exhibited alongside a chain wild animal . This figure goes against our beliefs and our values . "
It concluded : " We guarantee that there will be no more such incident at Rio 2016 . ”
However , mass are intelligibly still confused about the shooting . This species is the large feline native to the Americas and has frequently been used as an ikon throughout the long chronicle of Mesoamerica . TheIUCN Red Listclassifies the Panthera onca as “ near threaten , ” and is disposed to increase the severity of this status as it struggles to cope with the continued threat of poacher and the ongoing destruction of its natural habitat .
In a sad twist of sarcasm , a animated cartoon jaguar is also theofficial mascotfor Brazil ’s team in the Rio 2016 Olympics .
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals ( PETA ) said in ablog post : “ Everyone who is upset by the needless death of this panther , the Gorilla gorilla Harambe , or unnumbered other exploited hazardous animals should stay far away from any occupation that put last beings on video display for human ' amusement'–and should need friend and family to do the same . ”
