My article about a porcupine killed by a motorist struck a chord in Brazil. Cyclist Helton Moreas was moved to write and tell me about a friend, Lauro Haber, who cycled through Brazil from north to south, and who photographed this motor vehicle-killed tamandu´ mirim. Lauro has given permission for us to include his photo in our “Absent Friends” gallery.

 

 
The tamanduá mirim is a relative of the tamanduá bandeira, an anteater ranging from Mexico down through South America. The one Lauro photographed was quite young, and is considered rare in Brazil, possibly endangered. See the original version of Lauro’s photo at his Picasa photo gallery.

 
Thanks to Lauro for permission to reprint his photo, and thanks also to Helton for bringing it to our attention. Death is off stage for most people most of the time. We know it happens, and know it will happen to us. It’s one thing we cannot escape. But death is held at arm’s length, something we don’t like to think about or contemplate. Never more than when we drive the roads. How many animals are killed by motorized vehicles? Too many. It’s time we stopped and looked. These animals who have died needlessly and they deserve a memorial. They deserve to be remembered.

 
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