In a sad turn of events, a Brazilian soldier shot and fatally wounded Juma, the Rio Olympics’ jaguar mascot, following Tuesday’s torch ceremony.
Prior to the shooting, Juma was photographed right after the torch went through the town of Manaus on its way to Rio de Janeiro.
“But according to reports, shortly after the ceremony the sedated big cat — normally captive at a zoo — bolted for freedom as it was being placed back in its cage. When Juma approached a soldier, he fired the fatal shot. The Amazon Military Command said the killing was in line with safety procedures, per TMZ Sports.”
What a tragedy to have taken place at such a world-celebrated event. Thanks to the soldier’s quick instincts no human lives were put in danger. Although, we will never know what type of damage, if any, Juma would have created for the bystanders in the crowd. Perhaps she would have just ran off into the wild.
The soldier responsible for the shooting surely would have liked for things to have gone differently on this sad day.