North Richland Hills police responded to a call on Thursday afternoon after a passerby reported a “kangaroo or monkey” taking shelter outside a pizzeria on the city’s busy thoroughfare. When officers arrived, they discovered the creature was a kinkajou, a small, nocturnal mammal native to the tropical forests of Central and South America.
Rescue operation
Officer Dylan Davis, a veteran of the department’s animal‑control unit, approached the animal calmly and was able to capture it safely without injury. The kinkajou, described by officers as “notably hot and thirsty,” appeared to be suffering from the extreme summer temperatures that have been affecting the Dallas‑Fort Worth metroplex.
After the successful capture, the animal was transferred to North Richland Hills Animal Services. The agency is now working to locate the animal’s owner or, if none is found, to place the kinkajou in a long‑term care facility that can meet its specialized needs.
What is a kinkajou?
Kinkajous belong to the family Procyonidae, making them distant relatives of raccoons. They are known for their prehensile tails and the ability to rotate their hind feet backward, allowing them to move easily along branches. In the wild, they are arboreal and feed on fruit, nectar, and insects. Because they are not native to Texas, keeping a kinkajou as a pet requires a permit in many jurisdictions, and the animal’s welfare can be compromised when it is exposed to temperatures far above its natural habitat.
National Geographic notes that kinkajous thrive in humid, forested environments where temperatures rarely exceed 85°F (29°C). The recent heat wave, with forecasts reaching the high 100s, created a dangerous situation for any exotic animal left outdoors without proper shelter.
Community response
The department posted a light‑hearted message on its Facebook page, asking, “Soooo, anyone missing a kinkajou?” The post generated a flurry of comments from residents expressing concern for the animal and curiosity about how such an exotic pet ended up in the city.
Local animal‑rights groups reminded the public that exotic pets require specialized care and that owners should ensure their animals are housed in conditions that meet species‑specific needs. They also encouraged anyone who knows the owner to contact NRH Animal Services promptly.
Next steps
NRH Animal Services will continue its search for the kinkajou’s caretaker. If no owner comes forward, the agency plans to partner with a wildlife rehabilitation center experienced in caring for tropical mammals. The department emphasized that the public should report any distressed wildlife or exotic pets to law enforcement or animal‑control professionals rather than attempting to handle the situation themselves.
This incident highlights the challenges that extreme weather poses to both humans and animals in the region. As summer temperatures climb, city officials continue to urge residents to check on pets, livestock, and any exotic animals that may be vulnerable to heat stress.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
