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Home > Sports News > Other Sports News > Article > Rio 2016 Jaguar used in Olympic torch ceremony shot dead

Rio 2016: Jaguar used in Olympic torch ceremony shot dead

Updated on: 22 June,2016 11:45 AM IST  | 
mid-day online correspondent |

A jaguar that was used for the Olympic torch ceremony was shot dead by a soldier just shortly after the event that was held in Manaus in Brazil's Amazon

Rio 2016: Jaguar used in Olympic torch ceremony shot dead

The Olympic Torch, hold by an athlete, is seen by a jaguar --symbol of Amazonia

A jaguar that was used for the Olympic torch ceremony was shot dead by a soldier just shortly after the event that was held in Manaus in Brazil's Amazon.


The animal, after escaping its handlers, went on to threaten a veterinarian. Soldiers used tranquilizer darts on the feline four times but failed to sustain the animal and hence, it had to be put down.


The Olympic Torch, hold by an athlete, is seen by a jaguar --symbol of Amazonia
The Olympic Torch, hold by an athlete, is seen by a jaguar --symbol of Amazonia. Pic/ AFP


The jaguar is the symbolic species in the Amazon. The jaguar was a 17-year-old named Juma and was raised since it was a cub.

Earlier, the feline was photographed with the Olympic torch passing by.

The Olympic Torch, hold by an athlete, is seen by a jaguar --symbol of Amazonia
Juma, the jaguar, during the ceremony. Pic/ AFP

An official stated that the jaguar was not a wild animal as it was raised in captivity and termed it's death as 'sad'.

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