What does the cryptic crossword clue "Separated from leader, ran away from Croatian animal (5)" mean?

The definition is "animal". The wordplay uses a deletion. COATI (deletion) + (deletion) = COATI; definition: "animal" The answer is COATI.

Separated from leader, ran away from Croatian animal (5)

Guardian Cryptic #29361 | 26 Across | 2024-04-19 flower