Jaguar Which Featured In Olympic Torch Ceremony, Shot Dead

A jaguar used in an Olympic torch relay ceremony was shot to death by the Brazilian army after it escaped from its leash and tried to attack a soldier, military officials said.

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Juma, a 17-year-old female jaguar, was on display as part of ceremonies at the Jungle Warfare Instruction Center in Manaus, in advance of the August 5 opening ceremonies in Rio de Janeiro.

The female jaguar escaped its handlers after the ceremony on Monday and attacked a soldier, a spokesman said. Four tranquiliser darts failed to stop it and a soldier shot it with a pistol.

Organisers for the Rio Games said it had been a mistake to exhibit the Olympic torch next to a chained wild animal.