CÁCERES, MATO GROSSO, BRAZIL – JUNE 24, 2008 Tragic attack occurred when a 22-year-old fisherman, Luiz Alex da Silva Lara, was attacked by a jaguar while sleeping at a campsite on the banks of the Paraguay River. His father, 45-year-old Alonso Silva Lara, witnessed the attack but was unable to help his son. The predator killed the young man and subsequently dragged his body into the surrounding vegetation.
Luiz Alex da Silva Lara
Luiz Alex Silva Lara and his father made their living fishing in an area known as Pacu Gordo, near the Taiamã Ecological Reserve in the state of Mato Grosso. On the fateful evening, the young man was resting inside a zipped-up tent while his father had briefly stepped away. At approximately 7:30 p.m., a jaguar approached the campsite, entered the tent, and attacked the sleeping fisherman.
Alonso Silva Lara returned just as the animal was dragging his son away. Although he attempted to scare the animal off, he had no weapon with him and was unable to prevent the attack. He eventually called for help using a radio. Other fishermen who arrived at the scene subsequently found the young man’s body approximately 200 feet (60 meters) from the campsite.
A subsequent autopsy confirmed that the cause of death was devastating injuries to the cervical spine and spinal cord caused by the attack of a large feline. The forensic pathologist documented extensive injuries to the head, neck, chest, and limbs. Approximately 45 individual claw wounds were recorded on one of the victim’s thighs. According to experts, the jaguar attacked in a manner typical of killing prey, biting into the area of the nape and the base of the skull.
When traveling through areas inhabited by jaguars, it is important to maintain a safe distance, avoid approaching them for photographs, and never feed them or attempt to drive them away. The risk of an encounter can be reduced by traveling in groups, exercising extra caution at dusk and at night, and avoiding dense vegetation near waterways. If you encounter a jaguar, do not run or turn your back on it. Remain calm, slowly retreat, and try to appear as large as possible. If the animal attacks, defend yourself using any available means, focus on its face and eyes, and try to remain on your feet.
