Authorities Pull Struggling Jaguar with Gunshot Wounds from River in Dramatic Rescue Operation

NEED TO KNOW

• An injured jaguar was rescued by Brazilian military police from the Rio Negro

• A veterinarian determined the large predator sustained multiple gunshot wounds, had several broken teeth, and fragments of bullets under its skin

• Officials have not yet identified who is responsible for the animals' injuries

A wounded jaguar fighting for its life in the waters of Brazil’s Rio Negro was rescued in a dramatic operation led by local authorities.

The big cat, found struggling to stay afloat on Wednesday, Oct. 1, was spotted by Amazonas Military Police officials, who quickly moved in to help.

Video from the scene, obtained by Newsflare, shows the animal cautiously swimming toward the agency's boat as officers extend a makeshift flotation device to give the big cat a place to rest, rather than treading water. Despite the animal's visible distress, the jaguar grips the support and allows itself to be guided to safety.

Once the jaguar is secure on the floatation device, the rescue vessel carries the exhausted predator along the river — one of the largest tributaries of the Amazon — towards land.

Specialists from the Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM) and the State Secretariat for Animal Protection (Sepet) were on hand to stabilize the animal and prepare it for transport to a veterinary facility.

Veterinarians later confirmed the jaguar had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and several broken teeth. Vets also found fragments of bullets lodged beneath the jaguar's skin. The feline is now receiving intensive care and monitoring from wildlife experts. Officials have not yet identified who is responsible for shooting the jaguar.

Brazil harbors roughly half of the world's remaining jaguar population, with many roaming the country's dense Amazon rainforest and surrounding wetlands.

Though revered as a symbol of strength and beauty, jaguars remain under threat of extinction from deforestation, habitat loss, and conflict with humans, such as poaching and illegal wildlife trade.

The rescued jaguar is expected to remain under medical supervision as specialists determine whether the animal can be reintroduced to the wild in the future.

The video of the jaguar's mid-water rescue captured the hearts of many online users, who were touched by the wounded animal's determination and the gentle, yet urgent, response of the officials.

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"I am so impressed with that Jaguar's ability to parse out who is a safe human and who wasn't and to go get help from the safe ones," an Instagram user wrote in the comment section. With another adding, "He knows they're helping him. We're all more connected than we think."

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