Thai violence 'spooks anteaters'

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Two anteaters at the Bangkok's main zoo have been moved outside the city, to recover after recent noisy clashes between police and protesters.

The four-year-old male and female have been taken to a zoo in Chonburi province, east of Bangkok.

The zoo said the animals were sensitive to noise, and the loud explosions and bangs of last week's protests could make them ill or even kill them.

There has been a political stand-off in Bangkok for the past six weeks.

The confrontation pits supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) against the government, led by Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.

It erupted into violence last Tuesday as protesters blockaded parliament in a bid to prevent the inauguration of a new government.

Two people died and hundreds were injured in clashes between police and protesters in streets close to Dusit Zoo.

"A pair of anteaters had come from the United States about a year ago. This animal is sensitive about noise, and they have not yet got used to loud noises," Dusit Zoo director Kanchai Sanwong told AFP news agency.

"The kangaroos and elephants who live near the wall opposite parliament were excited and acted a little jumpy, but they have lived here for a long time and it is easy for people who take care of them to calm them down," Mr Kanchai said.

"The deer and birds who also live next door have been little impacted."

Zoo workers sprayed water around the animals' enclosure to help alleviate lingering teargas, he added.