Woman Who Killed Puma Fined

A woman from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was fined R$ 20,000 (approximately $3,408 USD) by the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) after a video of her killing a puma in Piauí went viral. The hunter, identified as Eula Pereira da Silva, committed the crime on December 16 while vacationing in Alto Longá, where her parents reside.

The video, which sparked outrage on social media, shows Eula shooting at the puma perched on a tree. Even after being wounded, the animal tries to resist but is attacked by dogs accompanying the woman and ultimately dies. After the feline’s death, the woman is seen dancing while her father strikes the animal’s body with a wooden club.

Following the public backlash, Ibama launched an investigation and was able to identify the hunter and the crime scene. Institute inspector Bruno Campos Ramos explained that after being identified, Eula did not voluntarily turn herself in to the authorities but was found at her residence in Rio das Pedras, Rio de Janeiro.

“She stated that her father had been complaining about losing livestock to a puma and that upon encountering the feline during a walk, he ran home and returned with Eula and her sister, all armed. Eula claimed she only intended to scare the animal away but ended up firing the fatal shot,” the agent explained.

The fine imposed on Eula totals R$ 20,000 (approximately $3,408 USD), with R$ 5,000 (approximately $852 USD) for the puma’s death, in accordance with current environmental legislation, and the remainder for crimes of abuse, illegal hunting, and mistreatment, also involving the dogs used in the hunt. The weapon used in the crime was seized at the family’s property.

Eula’s father and sister were also fined, bringing the total penalties to R$ 40,000 (approximately $6,816 USD). The case will be forwarded to the Public Prosecutor’s Office for the appropriate criminal proceedings.

See the video of the incident below.