Date:30/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/30/stories/2008033050700200.htm

Tamil Nadu

Anteater caught, set free in forest

Staff Reporter

INTRUDER: An ant-eater that was caught in a field near Perambalur.

PERAMBALUR: An anteater was caught in a field near here on Thursday.

The three-foot-long animal, weighing five kg, was noticed by Chellamuthu, a farmer, in his groundnut field at Nakkasalem, 15 km from here. He caught it and alerted K. Ragunathan, Forest Ranger, Perambalur, and District Forest Officer J. S. Ambroise.

The officials took possession of the male animal and set it free in the reserve forest at Ayyanarpalayam near Veppanthattai.

Anteaters, an endangered species, are found in a few places in some parts of the forests in the district, says Mr. Ambroise. The fact that the animal is believed to have some medicinal value explains its slide into extinction. Even the farmer, a former police constable, received an attractive offer from a few persons.