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An Asian Palm Civet caused a foul stench in Kerala High Court’s Chamber 1, disrupting Chief Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar’s proceedings.
News18
In a bizarre incident, Kerala High Court’s Chamber 1 proceedings got disrupted due to a foul stench caused by toddy cat. The incident reported on Tuesday during the morning session presided over by Chief Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar.
Before this incident, asian Palm Civet, locally known as the toddy cat or musang, also hampered sleep of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The CM has shared that civet cats at his official residence in Thiruvananthapuram were disturbing his sleep by scampering across the tiled roof at night.
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After hearings commenced, a strong odour spread through the air-conditioned chamber. The Chief Justice managed urgent matters, but as the smell intensified, the court had to adjourn.
Cleaning staff were immediately sent to locate and resolve the issue. Officials later suspected a civet cat had entered through the air-conditioning vents and took shelter between the ceiling and roof.
Known for its pungent urine, the animal often makes its presence felt in enclosed spaces. The Asian Palm Civet is a nocturnal mammal typically found near palm groves and fruit-bearing trees. In Kerala, it is commonly seen in tiled heritage houses and old buildings, where it shelters under roof structures.
Although harmless and largely frugivorous, its movements and smell often create a significant nuisance in human dwellings. The incident at the High Court follows similar complaints from Kerala’s top political leaders.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had previously shared that civet cats at his official residence in Thiruvananthapuram were disturbing his sleep by scampering across the tiled roof at night.
He also complained that his clothes were frequently ruined due to the animals’ urination.
Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan has faced the same issue at his official residence, another old mansion in the capital. Wildlife enthusiasts, however, caution that despite being troublesome in urban areas, civet cats are under threat of extinction and play an important role in seed dispersal in forest ecosystems.
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
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