Summary
Firefighters in Arizona's Coronado National Forest saw a coatimundi, an animal usually found in Central and South America, during a prescribed burn. The prescribed burn aimed to lower wildfire risk by removing excess vegetation on Mount Lemmon.
Key Facts
- Firefighters were conducting a planned burn in Arizona's Coronado National Forest.
- They encountered a white-nosed coatimundi, a relative of the raccoon.
- Coatimundis are generally found in Central and South America, but also in parts of the Southwestern U.S.
- A video of the coatimundi was shared by the U.S. Forest Service.
- Prescribed burns help reduce the risk of wildfires by clearing out extra vegetation.
- The white-nosed coatimundi lives in woodland habitats and rocky canyons.
- Arizona’s wildlife officials advise observing coatis from a distance to keep them safe.
