Max, the Killer Jaguar, captured and euthanized
Bruce Cullerton was mauled to death by Max the Jaguar, on Monday night. It is a stunning and rare event and also a tragic one. Cullerton was the neighbor of Richard and Carol Foster, two outstanding film makers for the National Geographic Channel. Cullerton was an established roving mechanic and his remains will be cremated and the ashes will be scattered near the entrance to one of his favorite caves. But back to the cat, Max fled from captivity when a mango tree fell on his cage. How it came in contact and killed Cullerton has still not been ascertained but it is believed that he was attempting to save his dogs from the jaguar. On Tuesday night, Max was captured by a team of animal experts. News Five’s Isani Cayetano was has the details of Max’s capture.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
Four year old Max, a male jaguar which escaped from captivity during Hurricane Richard over the weekend was snared and euthanized around ten-thirty p.m. on Tuesday after the vicious mauling of Bruce Cullerton the night before. Cullerton was planning to relocate to the United States for medical treatment on the day he was killed. He was a neighbor and family friend of Richard and Carol Foster, both renowned filmmakers. Cullerton was attacked and mangled by this hundred and thirty pound cat as it prowled the grounds near their properties situated off the Western Highway. It is uncertain what led to the deadly encounter but officials from the Forestry Department and the Belize Zoo were quick to respond to the animal’s capture. With help from Omar Figueroa, a jaguar researcher who also works in the area, Max was lured and caught several meters away.
omar figueroa
Omar Figueroa, Jaguar Researcher
“I did go out there and we scouted the area and we started to see signs of the cat. Signs that in fact the jaguar had not moved beyond a few hundred meters from where it was held captive.”
Max was held here in a reinforced enclosure where he was being reared and studied by the Fosters. According to Richard, they were making preparations to film the big cat for National Geographic Explorer when the incident took place. He was also present during the recapture of the jaguar.
richard foster
Richard Foster, Natural History Filmmaker
“Omar Figueroa, who is the jaguar researcher here, came over with his research traps where he catches jaguars in a snare system. There’s a radio attached to it so he knows immediately when it’s being sprung. We set all this stuff up during the early evening and waited in the house. I spent time on the roof trying to call the cat in because he knows me very well and at about I guess nine-thirty Omar had a positive signal on one of his traps and came up here and found a trap at the back behind Max’s, that’s the jaguar’s name, cage in the back there and he went down there and he found the cat in the snare hooked by the foot.”
The cat was then sedated and handed over to members of the Forestry Department who unsuccessfully attempted to encage him.
Omar Figueroa
“A cage trap was used and this is part of, I believe the Belize Zoo and Forestry Department’s response to when you have jaguars that are predating livestock. They go and they set traps but [uhm] it was just my opinion that given the circumstances with this cat and how weary it was about its surroundings that it probably would not enter one of these caged traps.”
Max was later placed into this cage, a larger pen where he was put to sleep by a lethal injection.
“This guy had to be put down to rest due to his actions that he had committed of taking human life hence you can see here.”
Richard Foster
“This is where he was injected in to the heart?”
“This where he was injected into the heart with a lethal injection.”
Richard Foster
“Jaguars are rare enough in Belize as it is and they are an important part of the tourist industry and it’s very sad to have to put down a cat like this but after this incident they didn’t really have an awful lot of options because there might be a public outcry about it.”
bruce cullerton
It is believed that Max had attacked Cullerton’s dogs after escaping from his cage when a tree fell unto it during the hurricane. 
On Monday night Cullerton and Foster surveyed the area in search of the jaguar but to no avail. It is also alleged that the cat subsequently attacked Cullerton when he tried to break up the confrontation between both animals. Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.
The same rule should apply to humans……………YOU TAKE A HUMAN LIFE YOU GET KILLED.
Maybe we need to take this stance on human murderers. Euthanasia for every convicted murderer. Gotta keep the public safe
A wild jaguar has a territory that covers miles, keeping it in a cage is just asking for disaster. This disgusts me. “This guy had to be put down to rest due to his actions that he had committed of taking human life hence you can see here.” What the hell else is it going to do? “Actions that he had committed,” speaking as if this poor animal was a person. IT’S A JAGUAR. As if they do not know what a big cat like this is capable of doing. It’s not the animal’s fault that they took him out of nature for their own pleasure. It is only doing what comes naturally to it. These beautiful animals are protected in Belize, and I don’t see why this one had to die because of human selfishness. It is like Chris Rock said about the Sigfried and Roy tiger attack. “Everybody is blaming the tiger, saying the tiger went crazy. The tiger didn’t go crazy… the tiger went TIGER.” LEAVE THESE WILD ANIMALS ALONE.
Unfortunately this beautiful jaguar life had to come to such a tragic end, but from this tragedy or end result we can learn a lesson, one every criminal in Belize should be thought. “A Life for a life”.
Aww. This is a sad story, a very shocking one also. I feel sorry for the Cullerton’s family. My condolences to the family and friends. I admit that its is also sad to hear that Max was killed with lethal injection. I don’t think that the jaguar realized or knew what he was doing but I do understand why he had to be put to sleep..
I had no idea National Geographic people were here in Belize studying Jaguars!
Poor Cat but Shouldn’t the owner be charged for manslaughter as well?
i do agree that the cat did a gruesome murder. This is an animal of the wildlife, hence it is not responsible for its action. The punishment is set in the correct sequence and carried out well without any remorse from anyone as yet. Well this was implemented very quickly, so we realize this is an animal, like us human just that we are the first class. With all this said, it is a murder so why we do not implement this speedy punishment with the human murders that are set free after serving a couple yrs in prison. This is what we as a community must protest and let our voices be heard.. Let do this action with the humans also, “an eye for an eye”. Love one’s are left out here to mourn, lets take that in consideration…..”A life for a life”.
Y did they have to kill the jaguar??? Y couldn’t they place him in the zoo?? they put the jaguar to sleep because it killed the man ….. HOW ABOUT THOSE MURDERERS?? CAN’T THEY BE GIVEN THE INJECTION AS WELL?? I believe that they should be killed as well!!! The same thing should be applied to the humans as well!!!
A crying shame. A jaguar does what it is suppose to do, and it is taken down. Belize is such a beautiful and tiny pearl, but it appears to have its priorities backward and in all the wrong places.
Would Belizeans have killed this beautiful wild animal if it had mauled to death just another Belizean out and about in the jungle? No. We would have found many excuses not to kill the animal. So why did we kill this wild animal that was simply doing what wild animals do? Come on people, let’s quit burying our heads in the sand.
If an animal that lack the intellectual capability of humans was rapidly given the death sentence i don’t see why the convicted killers do not have the same faith.
All this hype about human rights.. well animals have rights too but when animals kill, they get euthenized. Why not apply this to human animal as well. Instead of packing killers in the prison, save this country some money and just euthenize the killers!!!
This is so sad that such a beautiful and endangered animal was put down. I hoped that the only option available was to place him (max) in the care of the Belize Zoo, rather that putting him down.
Great Advice the Judicuary/Government and ALL put in charge of our country should work towards protecting our citizens from the human preditors, paracites our our society.
Why did they kill the jaguar? Jaguar is a born killer its his instinct. And they go kill the poor animal,So by saying that they should just inject lethal to every human that litterly goes and shoots someone.
This poor animal was already being punished since they had taken away his freedom from his early life. Nature gave him back his freedom and due to this unfortunate event he still end up being killed. I have a Rottweiler and I know how stubborn they can be. I don’t think it was the Jaguar’s fault.
One thing these conservationist need to realize is that once they have these wild animals in captivity, they affect the cycle of wild life and these are the risks they end up experiencing and is not the animals fault as they end up having mixed instincts.
By the way, this animals in captivity go through a lot of suffering….such as hunger, thirst, freedom, health and psychological damages. So don’t you think these conservationist must be punished? Many times we as humans only look at our side…….
Same thing I say, if a jaguar has to be killed for taking a life.. A human too should be given the same privilege, to keep the balance in check.
Of course we cannot blame the jaguar……it had been held captive against its’natural’ way of life….BUT, we can of course blame the owners for failing to ensure the safety of the public. If they knew a storm was immenent and trees fall during a storm here in Belize, they should have had better enclosure for the animal instead of just saying…:well, the mango tree fell down..” Am sure if it were a Belizean, Police would be looking for some count to march them to court.
We are a cruel and inhumane society! Max was a gorgeous animal… Max was terrified and confused by the hurricane when he got out of his cage. For all we know, he could have felt he was protecting the Fosters… we let humans get away with much worst. I love you Max! R.I.P
Dude! i know Bruce…and wow! yeah! people that had that cat in the cage or the owners should take all repsonsiblities for bruce’s death….justice should take place. and the cat is down good.
I agree with a previous comment, that the same rule should apply to humans, I am certain that it would work and Belize would have less crime.
I disagree that the owner of this jaguar should be charge, who was expecting something like this to happen? But should be a lesson to learn.. be careful to animals like this
Richard who kept the Jaguar should be held accountable by the law for the murder of Bruce. If my dog bites my next door neighbour, then i am responsible. Why should the rule be different. He knew what could potentially happen if this Jaguar were to escape. Richard knew we had a hurricane coming. He should have trimmed all trees around the cage to ensure the animal would not escape. The Jaguar escaped because the owner Richard Foster did not take the necessary precautions. The Belize Zoo about a mile away took the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of the animals. And through out the interviews conducted so far i don’t see Richard Foster taking any responsibilty for this…now that is sad…my sympathies to the victim’s family
They should kill those murders who commit these vicious crimes and leave the mothers in tremendous pain!!!!!!!
they could have sent the jaguar to the zoo or something. They didn’t have to kill it. what about the mothers who are left in treble pain from loosing their love ones??????? they should kill these murderers the same way. they just go in jail for some time, come out and do the same thing.
Sad story,no matter what– the Foster’s are legally liable for the death of Mr.Cullerton,that is the bottom line.
The scenarios that led to the escape of the jaguar were two fold- an act of God (hurricane) and negligence by the Fosters (they were aware of the impending storm and failed to secure their exotic pet’s cage). They are negligent big time and therefore LIABLE for the cause of Bruce’s death.
Omar preaches that he knows about jaguars, and the news labelled him a preservationist, but he’s just addicted to the litte fame he gets being on tv posing to be a hero killing a jaguar. So shameful!! He should realize that jaguars like humans also have the “right to life”. You can’t blame the jaguar for a natural God-given instinct, and even moreso compounded by the panic of the hurricane. Really sad situation. Omar has a lot more to learn about the circle of life, all his text books and skewed knowledge of animal psychology resulted in nothing more than a common mentality.
i agree totally with many here. This is protected wildlife animal, putting it to sleep should not have been the first choice. We here have laws to protect these jaguars it could have been taken away and place in the zoo. but the owner should have been charged knowing the weather was coming and accidents could have happened. he’s not use to being outside therefore acts on a defensive mode. If this is whats going to happen with animals start from us human beings…. people we need to make a stand towards this serious not only because of what happen but it is a jaguar a protected animal which was killed for being a cat….
if this case would have been in the U.S this foster would be already nipping their fingernails for a good amount for a sue case, but as we say belize everything goes under the carpet and it’s forgotten in a few months and life goes on. to my view this guy should be charged for manslaughter, how come he had this cat in a cage, does he has permission to hold wildlife captive? if it was a local belizean bet he’ll be finding dickie to fight his case already but white man has more previledge than we belizeans in our on jewel. secondly i condem the lethal injection to this jaguar, he never deserved to be killed he acted on his wild instincts of a wild cat so what do we do kill him when we should charge the foster. damn!!! THIS IS CRAZY. I like the phrase used by skywalker.
I am so upset about wat I just read. How could we as human beings that profess tobethe smartest of Gods creation be so ignorant and stupid? That jaguar was just doing what is instinctive to him. How come we don’t hear an uproar from the animal rights activists? I’m sorry for Bruces family, but come on people da dude is Max’s neighbor he knows better. Intact, anyone in their right mind knows not to approach a wild cat like that…….n to break up an attack? Let’s see who should we be blaming? Certainly not da fir**** jaguar……..n where does the Fosters stand in this? Let’s see “no where” so as the owner of a wild animal will they not be held accountable for it’s action?
Let’s hope our judiciary system learns a lesson from these cold hearted people that finds it absolutely necessary to euthanize a defenseless animal because it just did what is instinct to him……..
How can we be sure it was THAT Jaguar (MAX) that killed Bruce?? Who witnessed the attack?? It was at night so IF there was a witness how could a positive ID be done under such dark conditions?? Was MAX”s DNA found at the crime scene?? Couldnt it have been another Jaguar??
Perhaps some OTHER jealous jaguar set up MAX?? Or some corrupt forestry officer….
Richard how come you are not serving as allibi for Max?? Hmmm.. sounds like a set up!!!
How much you were paid to turn in one of your own??
All I see here is circumstancial Evidence…. NOTHING ELSE!!!
As Max’s Lawyer I would have made a submission of “Nolle Prosequi”!! Right Dickie??
Cmon Mose Hyde…. cant we say that “Poor Jagua hav fu eat?”
Why was MAX killed before I had a chance to appeal to the Privy Council?? Or is it the CCJA??
We are a bunch of Barbarians!!!! Do you want me to call my contacts at the European Union to cut off your grants for applying the death penalty????
This Jaguar was put to death based on circumstantial evidence, how many rapist, molesters and murderers get away with circumstatial evidence. LETS APPLY it to them as well.
I have never heard of a Belizean being killed by a jaguar, had to be a white man, these people are known for dyning because of their stupid actions. Jaguars are not pets.. If the jaguar was eating you dog would you go in a separate the jaguar from killing the dog. HELL! any Belizean would run away, thats why we dont get killed by jaguars. AYE GRINGO’s!!!!!!!!
Damn!!! that jaguar was so beautiful!!!! Such wondrous creature!!! Y DID THEY HAVE TO PUT HI DOWN?? COULDN’T THEY PUT HIM IN THE ZOO??? that would be preferred!!! damn and it is an endangered species no less!!!!
I hope that they would also be quick to euthanize a murderer as well!!! If it was up to me i would HANG them all!!!! The judiciary system sucks!!!! Dean barrow is just getting his head bigger!!! Tighten the damn security system!!!!
This is a sad story to both, the man who died and the animal they killed. This story is about an animal of the wild who killed a man” a wild animal” but they are quick to kill this animal who have no idea what he did don’t under stand that he shouldn’t do it, Can’t defend his self. Just look at this yes I under stand it kill a human. Now look at human killing human. They have sense they have understanding they can read and write and still kill there own kind. They are no wild animal they are human.the same way they could have killed this jaguar because he kill a human they should do the same with human being who kill human being cause then they are not human being they are animal.They never have evidence that this animal kill this man they never even know for sure if it is the same one………It just sad……..PM wake up take action to all those who kill kill them.
First and foremost, i fully understand the jaguar took away a humans life. Condolences to the Cullerton family, BUT there was no reason why this poor animal should have been euthanize. The cat is a wild animal, why was he put in a cage in the first place, i believe that the humane society should look into this matter. I am really upset, the jaguars are going extinct and we are helping in their extinction.
This jaguar was just doing what juagars do and should NOT have been euthanized!
When us human beings enter into their realm this is a chance we take. Every Juagar would kill the way this one did so why don’t we go out and kill every juagar? That animal was living peacefully in the wild until he was braught in to captivity. These people go down to countries like ours and do this sort of mess because in the US and other developed countries it is illegal to keep these ‘exotic’ pets. I wonder why? I guess we do not have to wonder why anymore!
Humans have a choice unlike wilde animals that behave instintively. This poor animal was hunted down and killed for no goo reason. When humans choose to kill each other we set them free; at least in Belize! The question begs: what’s wrong with this picture. Or is this a good example of what we should do to rid ourselves of the undesirables that live in our midst?
It bothers me that this animal is put to sleep forever because he attacked and killed when he doesn’t have his 5 common senses while murderers who well know right from wrong, and have their 5 senses and know exactly what they are doing go free. SET BELIZE FREE AGAIN AND IF A HUMAN KILLS SO HE SHOULD BE KILLED, THAT IS THE SOLUTION TO OUR CRIME. Murderers are spending just a few months in jail and they are back on the streets to do it all over again. You killed a Jaguar for killing while not on his five senses? So kill a human murderer for doing the same period!
A tame cat that tastes human blood. Would not have service out in the wild I agree.
Why didn’t they took him to the zoo?
These animals are born natural killers what do u want them to do? they should have charge the people who have Max in captivity. Just to shoots shots……..We don’t need discovery channel to tell us about our cats………Leave our cats alone………
Agree – criminal charges should be levied on the “owner” of the jaguar. Same situation as the crocodile people (wild animals do tend to be shy of human, animals in captivity tend to see us as food supply).
Since the deed has been done, and beautiful Max is deceased……Can I have first purchase options on the Fur?
Hindsight is wonderful – but please dont tell me that the Forestry department (or which ever department is responsible for permits to enslave dangerous animals) sanctioned the holding “cages”…..The London bridges of Southside look more sturdy that those wobbly looking chicken wire contraptions.
a rare wild animal paid the price for a human mistake . Leave the jaguars alone in their natural habitats. they have natural instinct to kill when threatened. and yep murderers should be given the death sentence, they are a menace to society and don’t deserve to live.
Well said Oscar965… I believe if this was a Belizean it would be different…. Same if you have a dog and not taking the precaution, and it bite someone, you are responsible.
This beautiful animal is doing what it natural life is about. The only reason this animal was kill was because the person that fall pray was a DAM YANKEE AMERICAN. Belize is just kissing AMERICA @#$.
R.I.P. MAX……
Sorry to see that animal got killed. This is what happens when we capture wildlife. I feel sorry too for the family who lost their loved one. The owner of the cat most likely cannot be criminally charged but I am pretty sure that he could have a civil case brought against him if Bruce’s family chooses to do so. It is a sad situation all around.
Good job on taking care of the animal boys. But let’s not forget Bruce. We have two dead bodies here and it’s a shame that most people here have the time to complain about a proven deadly animal being put down and not make mention of the human life that was lost by the same animal. Bruce was a nice guy and made sure he was fair and just to everyone. I’m sure that day he was out and about as usual, and the reason he was in the area is because he is the Fosters neighbor. He did not deserve to go like this, but nevertheless I will remember him for who he was. R.I.P Bruce and my condolences to the family.
To the animal – once a human killer, always a human killer. Read your books guys.
Now for Mr. Foster, he needs to pull his head out from his ^%$ and pay his respects for his neighbor who helped him out a million billion times over the years. Mr. Foster you lost the animal when it escaped, not when it was put down. You failed to keep it locked up properly so stop your whining. You’re focus should be on Bruce and not on the animal. You have lost your humanity and taken a cold approach to a human life lost.
Hmm to bad. Killing a beautiful animal. Yes he killed a person. But hello is just an animal. A wild one to be specific
Now let me understand something here, are these dogs some type of non barking dogs because I would think that if this guy had like three dogs or so and a jaguar is on the loose and approached these dogs there had was to be some type of commotion set off by these dogs which should have told the Fosters something like hey the dogs are after the Jaguar lets go check it out after all Cullerton was their neighbor and had just left their home, you would think that they would have been really concerned about their neighbor and come to his rescue instead of just ignoring the situation, would be interesting to see what Mrs. Foster looks like.
I most comment on the protect of the belizean people against the killing of the jaguar, it can be seen with so many comments. I add my name to the protect, especially to the decision without logic the forest department did with the recommendation of the conservation biologist. Apparently, this individual contradicted himself when he have his recommendation. There other alternatives in dealing with a “healthy” jaguar.
Damn!!! I guess that whale that killed that chick from Sea World should have been shot for murder. Wait, nothing happen! It’s part of the duty description. You want to mess with animals that kill for a living then you must accept its consequences.
I hope that the Belizean government stops people from owning these beautiful animals. the reason for this Jaguar being killed was because of human interaction if there are animals that are orphan or creating problems for farmers then they should be put in the zoo where there are trained professionals to take care of them.This jaguars are our gift from the almighty to protect and preserve its a sad day in our Country.when will foreigners stop thinking that they can just show up and start picking off animals out of the jungle for there entertainment,there has never been a jaguar attack in the history of Belize,leave it to the exploiters to come f*&^%$ up the wild life in our Country.