Case of the three jaguars

The case of the three jaguars was a case involving the killings of three jaguars in Cáceres, Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Killings
An adult jaguar and two cubs, identified as a mother and offspring, were killed. The mother and one of the cubs were decapitated, while the second, still alive, was trapped by the paws and abused. The situation was filmed and the video ended up "going viral" on March 27, 2023. Animal rights advocates began to demand legal repercussions against those involved in the crime.

Brazil's Minister of the Environment, Marina Silva, requested that the Ministry of Justice investigate the crime. On 2 April 2023, João de Deus da Silva was arrested by the Grupo Especial de Fronteira in the municipality of Cáceres. At the time, João de Deus confessed that a farmer had hired him to kill jaguars and that he would receive up to R$5,000 per animal. However, according to the TJ-MT, he was being investigated not for the killings of the jaguars, but for the mistreatment and possible trafficking of dogs that were present in the video. The case is currently under judicial secrecy.

The case sparked discussion about Brazil's legislation regarding crimes against wild animals, particularly those involving big cats.