A jaguar was shot and killed after an Olympic torch ceremony in Brazil

The jaguar was at the ceremony illegally, according to the state government environmental authority that oversees the use of wild animals.

Hoje pela manhã o Centro de Instrução de Guerra na Selva recebeu a #ChamaOlimpica em Manaus #TourDaTocha pic.twitter.com/TQf9y4bbgY

- Exército Brasileiro (@exercitooficial) June 20, 2016

A jaguar was shot and killed following an Olympic torch ceremony in Manaus after the animal escaped handlers and approached a soldier, Reuters reports. The incident took place Monday at "a zoo attached to a military training center." The jaguar's involvement in the ceremony was reportedly illegal:

"No request was made to authorize the participation of the jaguar "Juma" in the event of the Olympic torch," [Amazonas environmental authority] Ipaam said in a statement.

The local Rio 2016 committee expressed regret over the incident:

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

Last year, in a bit of cruel irony, the Brazilian national team announced a new mascot to represent them: A jaguar named Ginga, who was created by the Brazilian Olympic committee to "highlight the efforts of conservation NGOs working to protect [the jaguar]." As Buzzfeed points out, many Brazilians are furious over the jaguar being killed, and the fact that it was being used in the first place.

QUAL O SENTIDO DE LEVAR UMA ONÇA PRA UMA CERIMONIA DE CARREGAR UMA TOCHA?

- Dani Pineschi (@DaniPineschi_) June 21, 2016

Translation, per Buzzfeed: "What is the reason for bringing a jaguar to a carrying torch ceremony?"

The Olympic torch is continuing its tour through Brazil in the lead up to the opening ceremony on Aug. 5. Meanwhile, Ipaam tells Reuters it's looking into the incident. You can read the Amazon Military Command's full statement in Portuguese here.