Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre in Napanee recently cared for an unexpected visitor after a cacomistle, a small mammal native to Central America, was discovered in a shipping container in Belleville.
After discovering the stowaway in a container from Mexico, the manufacturer that received the shipment called Sandy Pines for support. The animal was identified and cared for by Sandy Pines staff as they tried to figure out next steps.
The cacomistle has since been transferred to Little Ray’s Nature Centre in Ottawa for specialized care.
“For mammals, in the time that I’ve been at Little Ray’s, this is our first one that I’d heard of coming through like this,” said Lee Parker, Zoo Director at Little Ray’s.
Little Ray’s and Sandy Pines are still in the process of trying to return the animal to its natural habitat or find a permanent home in Canada.
