Lions and tigers and…kinkajous, oh my! Okay, so you might not know the last animal on that list, but it’s time to get familiar. Washington state officials said that a kinkajou was found at a bus stop many miles from home on June 23. And so far no one has any official explanation for how the little guy got there.
There are lots of animals you’d expect to see hanging around a bus stop, but kinkajous are certainly not one of them.
Video from USA TODAY shows the animal, which is part of the raccoon family, hiding behind a sign at the stop. The video explained that the kinkajou was “very underweight” when he was found and was later brought to the Port Defiance Zoo for treatment.
Related: Moment Rescue Kinkajou Realizes She’s a ‘Pretty Girl’ Is So Precious
According to KOIN 6, the animal was found at the Selah Creek rest area in Yakima. It was rescued by the state fish and wildlife department, who turned it over to the zoo. On Facebook, the Port Defiance Zoo in turn stated that they worked quickly with government agents to find a safe place for the mammal, which is more likely to be spotted in “tropical rainforest from southern Mexico through Brazil.”
“Upon arrival, he was immediately quarantined at the Zoo’s animal hospital for onsite care and will undergo a comprehensive wellness exam with our veterinary team this week,” the zoo said in its statement.
These animals, sometimes known as “honey bears” might look adorable, but don’t get confused, they are not meant to be pets. Kinkajous are carnivores with prehensile tails and are sometimes mistakenly called primates.
“This young kinkajou’s survival is a testament to the collaborative efforts of state wildlife law enforcement and the Zoo, highlighting the dangers of the illegal pet trade,” the zoo added. “While kinkajous are not endangered, they are hunted for fur, meat, and the exotic pet trade, threatening their wild population.”
According to the New York Post, some animal experts believe the kinkajou was bought through the illegal pet trade, but was ultimately abandoned and left to fend for itself. Although authorities have yet to officially give a reason why the mammal ended up in the northwest.
Commenters on Facebook thanked officials for saving this helpless creature. “Poor little guy, glad he was rescued,” wrote one commenter. “Unbelievable. Thank you for helping with it,” someone else chimed in. “Cute little thing, glad you are taking care of it. We know it’s in good hands,” a third person praised.
USA TODAY states that the kinkajou will stay at the zoo until they can find it a permanent home.
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