This is the moment a group of hunters stalk an injured, endangered cougar in the woods before throwing stones at it and later releasing sick images of them posing with the big cat’s bloodied corpse, prompting a police probe.
The cougar (Puma concolor) was hunted and killed in the municipality of Tarrafas in the Brazilian state of Ceara.
The hunters posed for photos with the dead animal that were later shared online, reaching the attention of the local police who have confirmed they are investigating the matter.
Hunters posed with a cougar they killed in the rural area of the municipality of Tarrafas, Brazil, on 3rd November.
(Newsflash)Hunters posed with a cougar they killed in the rural area of the municipality of Tarrafas, Brazil, on 3rd November.
(Newsflash)
A video was also released showing the suspected hunters stalking the injured puma in the woods as it suffers with an apparent neck wound.
They then start throwing rocks at the defenceless animal as the footage cuts, apparently filmed minutes before they posed with its bloodied corpse.
In a statement, the Secretariat of Public Security and Social Defence (SSPDS) said that officers from the neighbouring municipality of Assare have visited the scene where the cougar was killed and subsequently launched an investigation that is ongoing.
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Hugo Fernandes, biologist and professor at the Ceara State University, said the killed animal was of the Puma concolor species and is threatened with extinction, adding that the hunting of cougars is prohibited.
Even though the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species categorises cougars as ‘least concern’, they are considered endangered in Brazil.
Fernandes added: “This is happening, mainly because of incidents like in the images, as a direct result of hunting.
“Pumas are persecuted because of issues with small to large farmers who do not want to see their livestock being preyed upon by the big cat, but this is a direct consequence of the loss of their natural prey in the wild.”
Hunters posed with a cougar they killed in the rural area of the municipality of Tarrafas, Brazil, on 3rd November.
(Newsflash)Hunters posed with a cougar they killed in the rural area of the municipality of Tarrafas, Brazil, on 3rd November.
(Newsflash)
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Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub-Editor: William McGee, Agency: Newsflash
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