Runaway coatimundi recaptured in Buckinghamshire

The coatimundi was being kept as a pet and escaped in January

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.

Coatis are "not adapted to living in temperate English habitats"

Coatimundis

• Native to South, Central and parts of North America and are commonly found in tropical forests, living primarily on a diet of insects

• Not adapted to living in temperate English habitats and as a result may struggle to survive in the wild, particularly during periods of below-zero temperatures

• Have strong front claws and will defend themselves if they feel threatened but a Dangerous Wild Animals Act licence is not needed to keep a one as a pet

Source: RSPCA