A jaguar that was part of the Olympic torch ceremony in the northern city of Manaus was shot dead when it escaped from its handlers, Reuters reported Tuesday.
The animal was killed Monday shortly after the event after it approached an army soldier, the report said. The jaguar was tranquilized.
“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 to Reuters, adding "We guarantee that there will be no more such incidents at Rio 2016.