TACOMA, Wash. — The new home for a kinkajou found abandoned at a Yakima rest stop in June has been announced.
"Oscar" is now housed at the Millbrook School's Trevor Zoo, it announced over the weekend. Millbrook is about a 2 hour drive north from New York City.
The kinkajou received temporary care at Point Defiance Zoo (PDZ) for a few months after being discovered at the Selah Creek Rest Area in June. State officials said it's unclear if the animal was dropped off or if it escaped.
Upon the kinkajou's arrival at the zoo, he was found to be in good health, albeit aggressive and unreceptive to humans. The animal could not stay at Point Defiance because they did not have an enclosure suitable for him.
"He does not like people. He has an attitude. He has very sharp teeth," said Head Veterinarian Dr. Karen Wolf.
”He's still a little grouchy,” said Kylee Depew, the director of animal care at Trevor Zoo. “That is how Oscar got his name,” said Depew. “He is a little bit grouchy.”
Kinkajous are nocturnal rainforest mammals known to live in tropical rainforests from southern Mexico through Brazil. They are small carnivores. They are technically legal to own but require federal permits to move across state lines. Selling any offspring would be illegal.
The Trevor Zoo says its male kinkajou, Buddy, passed away over the summer and it has been looking for a new partner to its female kinkajou, Mira. The zoo said the kinkajou has completed his quarantine and will be introduced to Mira soon. The zoo said the kinkajous will be off exhibit for the time being.
“It is dark during the day, and then at night, the lights come on,” said Depew. “He has a play area where he can play on a little jungle gym right now. And then he will be introduced to our female.”
PDZ said the kinkajou's survival is a "testament to the collaborative efforts of state wildlife law enforcement and The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, highlighting the dangers of the illegal pet trade."
KING 5's Helen Smith and Kipp Robertson contributed to this report.