Runaway coatimundi recaptured in Buckinghamshire

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-31726845

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An animal mistaken for a "small bear" has been captured about 11 miles (18km) from home after two months on the run.

The coatimundi, which is native to the Americas, was being kept as a pet and escaped in January from the Fawley area of Buckinghamshire.

The RSPCA said it was alerted when the animal was spotted in a back garden in Marlow in February.

It had been "giving rescuers the slip" but an officer caught it by "laying a humane trap", a spokesman said.

'On the loose'

Animal collection officer Dennis Lovell said the organisation had received "a flurry of calls regarding a small bearlike animal" which had been seen in and around the Marlow area.

"It was eventually established it was actually a coatimundi that was on the loose after escaping," he said.

"[It] seemed to be favouring three gardens by the river to visit for food so we laid a humane trap with pieces of fresh fruit at one of the properties.

"As soon as he was in there I was able to go down, collect him and return him to his owners."

Anyone considering getting a coatimundi as a pet should thoroughly research the species and ensure they could meet all its welfare needs, the RSPCA has said.

Coatimundis

Source: RSPCA