S. American critter found sleeping on Ill. porch

[June 05, 2010]  CHICAGO (AP) -- A small, furry, long-tailed critter found napping on a Chicago porch is apparently more than 2,000 miles away from where it belongs.

Animal control experts said an exotic kinkajou was found sleeping Thursday in the city's Pilsen neighborhood. Nobody knew what it was until Lincoln Park Zoo experts identified it.

The National Geographic Web site said kinkajous are related to raccoons. They're typically found not on Chicago porches but in the trees of tropical forests in Central and South America.

Animal control experts suspect it was an escaped pet.

Officials are waiting for someone to claim the animal, which isn't illegal to own in Illinois. If nobody does, it likely will end up in an exotic animal sanctuary.

---

Information from: WFLD-TV.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.