A Tucson man hiking in Cochise County Sunday was attacked by a coatimundi he tried to shoo off the hood of his car, authorities say.
When the man hiking in Ash Canyon saw the coatimundi on the car hood, he tried to scare it away by shouting and waving his arms, the Cochise County Sheriff's Department says.
Instead, the coatimundi tore off the car’s windshield wiper, jumped down and attacked the unidentified hiker.
The man was scratched and bitten by the racoon-like animal before he was able to get into the vehicle, authorities say.
He received a rabies shot as a precaution.
Wildlife officials were still searching for the possibly-rabid coati that attacked a Tucson man who was hiking Sunday in Southern Arizona's Ash Canyon.
A federal wildlife specialist searched the area, but was unable to find the coatimundi.
If found, the coatimundi will then be tested for rabies.
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The sheriff’s office recommends people spending time in rural, mountainous areas not attempt to engage with any wild animal.
Cochise County recently reported two cases of rabies in gray foxes that interacted with the community near Ramsey Canyon. Other Arizona counties have warned about possibly rabid animals.
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