A North Carolina City’s Interesting Animal Encounters Continue
2021 was an interesting year to say the last for Raleigh. The North Carolina capital and surrounding area had many animal encounters including a loose venomous cobra, a bear in a tree, as well as wolf-dogs that escaped. In fact, the instances led to them revisiting the exotic pet laws, because well knowing that a neighbor has a house full of snakes that can kill you, and have escaped, will make you question why it’s legal.
But Raleigh’s animal woes are still going strong in 2021. The newest culprit? A white-nosed coati. You’re probably saying what in the world is that? And I’m asking myself the same thing. A quick google search brings up photos of the animal, which has a long striped tail similar to a raccoon. The Smithsonian National Zoo describes the animal in the following way:
White-nosed coatis are small mammals native to North, Central and South America, from Arizona to Argentina. They have strong claws and long, highly mobile snouts well adapted for foraging in crevices and holes for food. Their thick, semi-prehensile tails are used for balance and often held erect above the body.
Raleigh police found the animal on Tuesday and set out to locate the owner. The animal was found off New Bern Avenue and was taken to an exotic vet. No word on how the Raleigh police determined the animal was a pet and not a wild animal. News outlet WRAL is reporting that they have been in contact with the owner and that she will pick up the coati, named Ryuk, this morning.
KNOW THIS EXOTIC ANIMAL? Our Animal Control officers located a White-nosed Coati in the 400 blk of Dickens Dr and took it to an exotic vet in Raleigh. The animal will be placed on a 5-day consecutive stray hold. The owner should call 919-831-6311 and ask for Animal Control. pic.twitter.com/A9Hsmg3QJM
— Raleigh Police (@raleighpolice) February 15, 2022
Gallery: Facts About The White-Tailed Coati
Facts from The Smithsonian National Zoo
