Jaguar escapes Colombian wildlife center, stress from fireworks suspected cause

A jaguar has escaped from Corpoamazonia's wildlife center in Leticia, Colombia, prompting an urgent search and public safety advisory. Environmental authorities are investigating the incident, with a leading hypothesis suggesting that stress from nearby fireworks on the night of June 17 may have caused the animal to flee.

Corpoamazonia reported that a technical meeting was held with the Ministry of Environment and wildlife specialists to plan for the animal's safe release. However, the jaguar was discovered missing from the center the following morning. This triggered the activation of the Departmental Committee for Disaster Risk Management and the establishment of a Unified Command Post to coordinate search and monitoring efforts.

The authority also considers it probable that the feline returned to its natural habitat on its own, given that the center is surrounded by forest areas. While the search continues, Corpoamazonia has issued recommendations for the public. Residents are advised to avoid wooded areas for the next 24 hours, keep a close watch on children and domestic animals, and under no circumstances approach, chase, or corner the animal if sighted.

Corpoamazonia has provided contact numbers (311 471 1654 and 310 230 0755) for reporting any information about the jaguar's whereabouts. The escape has caused concern, particularly after Senator Andrea Padilla denounced the incident.

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As one of the hypotheses, it is analyzed that the high level of stress generated by the burning of gunpowder registered during the previous night could have motivated the escape of the specimen.