Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Animal control officials in an Oklahoma city said they believe exotic animal sightings reported around the city are likely referring to coatimundis, animals native to South America, Central America and Mexico.
Durant Animal Control said there have been up to five sightings since May of an animal some residents said resembles a cross between a raccoon and an opossum.
"I thought a possum head was on a raccoon body," witness Janet Golden told KTEN-TV. "Big, long white face with little bitty black eyes."
Animal control Officer Darren Beckham said he believes there could be up to three of the animals on the loose. He said traps are being set up in an attempt to humanely capture the creatures.
"I'm not quite sure where they are going to relocate them to, but I assume down to Mexico or South America," Beckham said.
The animals are believed to have been brought to the area as part of the exotic pet trade.
Officials warned the coatimundis, also known as coatis, could pose a danger to pets including cats and small dogs.
"Like the raccoons they resemble, they may look or act tame or even friendly, but can be unpredictable and harmful to humans and even deadly to small pets," the Durant Animal Shelter said in a Facebook post.
