The caption of the picture claimed that because of the reduced traffic, the Indian civet was able to move around safely on a road at Meppayur town of Kozhikode, Kerala.

Speaking to IANS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) iamp; Chief Wildlife Warden Surendrakumar said he too saw it on social media and after sending the picture to experts, it has been identified as the Indian civet.

"The Malabar civet is an endangered species and what I am told by experts is that the picture in circulation is of an Indian civet," said Surendrakumar.

But he was unable to confirm if the picture was real, saying he was yet to get any confirmation from officials if anyone who actually saw it moving on the road.