Washington officials rescue exotic mammal found at Yakima rest area

PORTLAND, OregonKOIN) — An exotic mammal native to Central and South America has found its way onto the streets of the Pacific Northwest.

On Sunday, June 23, a kinkajou, an animal in the same family as raccoons, was spotted at the Selah Creek rest area in Yakima, Washington.

Washington State Department of Transportation Eastern Office said The creature was rescued by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, but authorities still don’t know if it escaped or was abandoned.

The kinkajou is now being held at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma, where staff have quarantined him so veterinarians can conduct a “complete wellness exam.”

“The survival of this young kinkajou is a testament to the collaborative efforts of state wildlife law enforcement and the zoo, highlighting the dangers of the illegal pet trade,” wrote a zoo spokesperson on Facebook“Although kinkajous are not endangered, they are hunted for their fur, meat and the exotic pet trade, threatening their wild population.”

According to Oregon Zoo, kinkajous typically weigh up to 10 pounds and measure 32 inches long. However, Point Zoo said these small animals do not make a good pet “despite their cuteness.”

These mammals – also called “honey bears” – are typically found in tropical rainforests from southern Mexico to Brazil.