A Colombian fisherman has been killed by a jaguar in the northwestern Uraba region, local media reported Monday.
The victim was attacked and killed by the feline in Turbo, a municipality bordering the Caribbean. According to police, the fisherman hailed from the city of Quibdo in the neighboring Choco department and had lived “for a few years” in Turbo.
Police said the fisherman was attacked by the large freckled animal while he was preparing his fishing net near the local bay.
The body, which reportedly was found partially dismembered, was transferred to a morgue in Turbo.
Spanish news agency EFE reported there was fear local inhabitants would try to hunt down the jaguar.
This is the second jaguar attack registered in Uraba since April, when another person was killed by a jaguar in the same area. According to newspaper El Mundo, the large animal is common in the jungles of Uraba and is known locally as “tiger” or “puma.” Reportedly, the large cats have adapted to the mono-cultivation of palm oil which a few years ago destroyed their natural habitat.
The jaguar, which can weigh up to 300lbs, has an exceptionally powerful bite that allows it to pierce the shells of armored reptiles, such as turtles. The animal is common in most of South America’s jungles and is found in many rural areas in Colombia. It is the third largest feline in the world, after the lion and the tiger.
Turbo, Antioquia
Sources
- Un pescador fue devorado por un jaguar en la zona de Uraba (Radio Santa Fe)
- Un pescador murió devorado por un jaguar en Turbo (EFE/El Mundo)
- Un jaguar mató a un pescador en Urabá (El Colombiano)
- Pescador murió al ser atacado por un jaguar en zona selvática de Uraba (Caracol Radio)