North Richland Hills police officers rescued an overheated kinkajou that suffered burn marks on its paws after the tropical mammal sought shade outside a business near Rufe Snow Drive and Loop 820 on Thursday afternoon.
The August 20 call initially described the loose animal as a possible kangaroo or monkey. Officers found it behind a trash can, hot and thirsty, according to a post from the North Richland Hills Police Department.
“Soooo, anyone missing a kinkajou?” the department wrote.
Officers Davis, Little and Lund carefully corralled the animal before Officer Dylan Davis secured it with a towel. North Richland Hills Animal Services then took custody of the kinkajou, Audacy/KRLD reported.
Burn marks found after rescue
Carissa Katekaru, public affairs administrator for the North Richland Hills Police Department, said a wildlife specialist examined the animal Friday and determined it was female.
“Because it was out on the hot concrete, it does have a few burn marks on its paws, but they are going to work on rehabbing her and helping get her back to full health,” Katekaru told Fox 4.
Authorities had not identified the animal’s owner as of Friday. Animal Services was working to locate the owner or find permanent placement for the kinkajou, Fox 4 reported.
What is a kinkajou?
Kinkajous are nocturnal, tree-dwelling mammals native to the tropical forests of Central and South America. They belong to the raccoon family, use prehensile tails for climbing and can rotate their feet backward while moving through trees.
Kinkatopia, a Florida sanctuary devoted to the species, warns that kinkajous do not make good household pets despite their presence in the exotic pet trade.
A 2011 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report documented raccoon roundworm infections in pet kinkajous that placed people at risk. The agency recommended routine veterinary care, deworming, fecal testing and careful disposal of animal waste.
Provided by Dallas Express
