Rio Olympics: Drama as soldier shoots "mascot" jaguar dead after torch ceremony

The Olympic torch tally took a dramatic turn when a Brazilian soldier shot and killed a Jaguar.
The female Jaguar named, Ginga, had just been involved in the torch ceremony for the completion set to hold between August 5-21.
Just moments before the tragic event, she had been pictured in the town of Manaus as the torch passed through the city on its way to Rio, and the whole thing went smoothly and without a hitch.

According to a statement from the army, the animal had to be shot after it escaped from its handlers. This happened on Monday at a zoo attached to a military training center when a soldier fired a single shot at the animal, which despite being tranquilized, approached the soldier.

The local organizing committee Rio 2016 saod, "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.

 "We guarantee that there will be no more such incidents at Rio 2016.”

The yellow jaguar known as Ginga is the mascot of the Brazilian Olympic team.

The shooting caused uproar among animal rights groups, which questioned why the animal was involved in the Olympic event.

"When will people (and institutions) stop with this sick need to show power and control by confining, taming and showcasing wild animals?" the Rio de Janeiro-based animal rights group Animal Freedom Union said on its Facebook page.