Get stuffed: judges claim National History Museum award-winning anteater photo is a fake

An award-winning photograph of an anteater lurking near a green glowing termite mound has been revealed after an investigation to have been a set-up.

Night Raider by Brazilian wildlife photographer Marcio Cabral won a photography award from The Natural History Museum in the category Animals in the Environment. Unfortunately, a “thorough investigation” following a third party tip off revealed that the anteater is most likely a taxidermy model from the visitor centre at the Emas National Park in Brazil.

Despite his claims that he had waited three years to capture the termite mound, photographer Marcio Cabral has been disqualified by The National History Museum for deception.

“The five scientists, working independently of each other, all concluded there are elements of the animal’s posture, morphology, raised tufts of fur and patterns on the neck and head that are too similar for the images to show two different animals,” a spokesperson for The National History museum commented.

One of the award’s 207 judges Roz Kidman Cox added: “I find it disheartening and surprising that a photographer would go to such lengths to deceive the competition and its worldwide following.”

“The competition places great store on honesty and integrity, and such a breach of the rules is disrespectful to the wildlife photography community, which is at the heart of the competition. This disqualification should remind entrants that any transgression of the rules and spirit of the competition will eventually be found out.”