Published: 12th of March, 2023 by Patrick Carpen.
Last updated: March 12, 2023 at 22:33 pmA disturbing video (posted below) has surfaced which shows reckless persons abusing a giant anteater somewhere in Guyana. Very likely the incident occurred in the Rupununi Savannahs where anteaters are most prolific.
In the video, the person can be seen dealing a slap to the face of the animal which seemed exhausted and not very capable of defending itself. The person was also seen grabbing the anteater by its tail and running with it, letting it drag on the ground.
It is not clear how many persons were present on the scene of this outrageous incident. However, it is clear from the video that there were least two: the one who was perpetrating the despicable acts and another who was recording, perhaps with a mobile device.
Documentary on the giant anteater from reputable sources states that, “the giant anteater can attack if it feels cornered. With sharp claws up to 4 inches long, the giant anteater can fight off even a puma or jaguar.”
The above statement, however, conflicts with the reaction we see from the anteater in the video posted above. It is possible, however, that the culprits in the video caught the anteater in a state of weakness perhaps due to exhaustion or hunger.
The video, which quickly went viral, sparked nationwide uproar with wildlife protection advocates, animal rights groups, and the general Guyanese population expressing their disgust and outrage, and calling for prosecution of the persons carrying out the despicable acts.
Team Guyana, South America joins with all rightminded individuals in condemning this brutal, unprovoked abuse of a helpless animal. We also wish to urge all Guyanese, and the world at large, to treat animals with kindness except in cases where they pose danger to human lives or when it is necessary to hunt them for food.