Firemen in Puerto Cortes Honduras kill a Jaguar in removal attempt
February 5th 2009 19:19
PUERTO CORTES, HONDURAS -- Firemen were called to a residence in a small neighborhood when a man reported that a jaguar was on his roof. The call went in at 6 am according to local dailies, and two firemen immediately responded to the home in Isla Los Locos. The neighborhood is indeed an island, on a small peninsula near the port.
You can find the whole story in Spanish with video, online at La Prensa
Resident Armando Castro had heard something moving on the roof, and suspected it was a theif, since chickens and pigs had been disappearing recently. He soon realized it was a large animal, and a loud roar confirmed that it was a jaguar. He immediately called the police and fire department.
Two firemen arrived on the scene immediately, and began to try to capture the animal with a rope and a long pole. The jaguar became aggressive and lunged at his potential captors, while retreating to a tree top. For the next three and a half hours, the two firemen continued to try to lasso the jaguar with no luck, and the jaguar exhibited increasingly aggressive behavior, and retreated higher into the tree.
Reports indicate that there were also calls put in to the San Ignacio wildlife reserve located nearby, and to a local veterinarian for assistance. No specialists arrived on the scene however.
At approximately 10:30 am, firemen managed to get a noose around the neck of the jaguar. At that point the feline jumped from the tree and remained hanging a few feet off the ground. The animal continued to fight and struggle, until it lost consciousness five minutes later. It was then lowered to the ground, and restrained, still breathing. Firemen intended to transport the animal to the wildlife facility at San Ignacio, but the animal died en route.
Jaguars are seldom seen in the wild, as they are solitary and nocturnal. They are an endangered species due to loss of habitat. They are also an important cultural icon of Honduras, in the Mayan Culture, in modern indigenous cultures, and during the fight for Independence.
You can find the whole story in Spanish with video, online at La Prensa
Resident Armando Castro had heard something moving on the roof, and suspected it was a theif, since chickens and pigs had been disappearing recently. He soon realized it was a large animal, and a loud roar confirmed that it was a jaguar. He immediately called the police and fire department.
Image courtesy of video on www.laprensahn.com
Two firemen arrived on the scene immediately, and began to try to capture the animal with a rope and a long pole. The jaguar became aggressive and lunged at his potential captors, while retreating to a tree top. For the next three and a half hours, the two firemen continued to try to lasso the jaguar with no luck, and the jaguar exhibited increasingly aggressive behavior, and retreated higher into the tree.
Reports indicate that there were also calls put in to the San Ignacio wildlife reserve located nearby, and to a local veterinarian for assistance. No specialists arrived on the scene however.
At approximately 10:30 am, firemen managed to get a noose around the neck of the jaguar. At that point the feline jumped from the tree and remained hanging a few feet off the ground. The animal continued to fight and struggle, until it lost consciousness five minutes later. It was then lowered to the ground, and restrained, still breathing. Firemen intended to transport the animal to the wildlife facility at San Ignacio, but the animal died en route.
Jaguars are seldom seen in the wild, as they are solitary and nocturnal. They are an endangered species due to loss of habitat. They are also an important cultural icon of Honduras, in the Mayan Culture, in modern indigenous cultures, and during the fight for Independence.
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