This is the heroic moment a jaguar that had been wounded by gunfire was found swimming through a river and rescued in Brazil.

Footage shows the injured big cat cautiously approaching emergency responders from the Amazonas Military Police, who offer a makeshift flotation device to help it stay above water.

The vessel then sets off, with the distressed feline seen clinging to the float as it drifts along the Rio Negro river on Wednesday, October 1.

With assistance from a wildlife expert from the Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM) and the State Secretariat for Animal Protection (Sepet), the animal was safely secured and transported to a veterinary clinic for treatment.

A medical examination revealed multiple gunshot injuries, fractured teeth, and embedded projectiles. It is currently receiving ongoing care from specialists.

Brazil is home to roughly half of the world's jaguar population. They thrive in the lush rainforests.

The Rio Negro, or Guainia, is the largest left tributary of the Amazon River.