By the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center
When most people think of Arizona’s wildlife, they imagine classic desert dwellers such as snakes, scorpions, coyotes and lizards. But Arizona is also home to a curious, tree-climbing member of the raccoon family that often surprises people: the white-nosed coatimundi (Nasua narica) or coati. Their range stretches through North, Central and South America, from Arizona to Argentina. Of the four species of coatimundi, the white-nosed coati is the only one found in North America.
Coatis are diurnal and highly social, often living in groups called “bands” made up of females and their young, while adult males tend to live alone. As omnivores, they use their long, flexible snouts to sniff out insects, fruit, nuts and small animals, and their sharp claws and strong limbs make them excellent climbers.
In Scottsdale, Arizona, Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center (SWCC) plays a special role in protecting the white-nosed coati. The facility is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing native Arizona wildlife and provides lifelong sanctuary care for animals unable to be released to the wild due to injury or imprinting. They currently have three coatis in permanent sanctuary care on the public tour route, plus three other baby coatis in rehabilitation care.
Since many Arizona natives have never seen coatis in the wild, visitors at the center get a unique experience meeting the resident coatis, often with the same reaction: “What is that?!” Although coatis are a natural part of Arizona’s ecosystem, they’re not as commonly seen as other wildlife, which makes encounters and education about these animals all the more important.
SWCC’s recent baby coati rescues
Coati populations, like all other wildlife, are impacted by habitat loss, fragmentation and other human activities. The center operates a 24/7 wildlife rescue hotline run almost solely by volunteers. SWCC saw an unusual number of coatis come through their doors in August 2025, with three baby coatis rescued and brought to the center in a two-week period.
The first call was regarding a 6-week-old female coati found trapped inside a piece of machinery at a copper mine in Superior, Arizona. Employees found her alone and extremely lethargic. Based on her condition, it seemed as though she was left alone for multiple days.
The other two babies were also rescued at around 6 weeks old and were found orphaned and alone at Aravaipa Canyon, their band nowhere in sight. With rich social lives, young coatis depend on their band for their protection and survival. These little ones faced slim chances of survival without intervention.
The rehabilitation process began the moment these tiny coatis arrived at SWCC’s veterinary clinic. The youngest rescues start their recovery in incubators, gradually moving to larger enclosures as they grow. For animals with potential for release, every interaction is carefully managed, and human contact is minimized to ensure the coatis keep their natural wariness of people, a crucial part of their survival in the wild.
SWCC aims to release every rescued animal back to the wild when possible, but coati’s social structures bring unique challenges to rehabilitation and release. Whether these babies will return to the wild or need permanent sanctuary care remains uncertain this early on in the rehabilitation process, but they’re growing stronger each day.
Meet SWCC’s permanent coati residents
Along with the three baby coatis in rehabilitation, Southwest Wildlife is also home to coatis who’ve found their forever home in sanctuary care. Each of the permanent residents arrived under different circumstances, but they all share one thing in common: they couldn’t survive in the wild due to injury, imprinting or early human contact. These coatis now serve as incredible ambassadors for their species, helping educate thousands of visitors each year about coatis. Their stories serve as a reminder of why keeping wildlife wild is so important and show how sanctuary care can provide a meaningful life when release isn’t possible.
Copper’s journey to Southwest Wildlife began in 2016, when he was found alone in Florence, Arizona. After being brought to SWCC, it became clear he had been living around people for some time, likely kept illegally as a pet.
In Arizona, it’s against the law to keep wild animals like coatimundis as pets. While they may look cute and playful, coatis are complex, intelligent animals with needs that can’t be met in a home. Copper’s comfort with people made it clear he could never survive in the wild, and so he found his forever home at Southwest Wildlife.
Another coati, Izzy, came to the center in 2020, when a couple spotted a tiny baby coati at the bottom of a cliff while hiking, worried she had fallen. Amazingly, she had no injuries, but she was far too young to survive on her own. Without her mother and her band, Izzy couldn’t be released back into the wild. She was also unusually comfortable around people, which would have made life in the wild dangerous for her.
Though she can’t live the wild life she was meant for, Izzy has found companionship at the center. Today, she shares an enclosure with Chi, where the two can often be found curled up together in their beloved hammock.
Chi was born in 2023 in Tucson, Arizona, and was found alone and injured at Colossal Cave Mountain Park after falling into an eight-foot-deep hole. In partnership with Tucson Wildlife, a wildlife rehabilitation center in southern Arizona, Chi was reintroduced to another coati band, but several attempts were unsuccessful. Too young to survive on his own, Chi needed permanent care. Today, he has become a wonderful ambassador for his species. His playful and curious nature helps foster understanding and appreciation for coatis and their conservation needs.
For Copper, Chi and Izzy, sanctuary care means a second chance at life as ambassadors for their species, while the babies in rehabilitation get their chance to grow and, hopefully, return to the wild. Through their individual journeys, these coatis help tell the larger story of wildlife conservation and the challenges their species face, inspiring others to learn about and take action for these remarkable animals.
Learn more about coatis by watching “Coati Comeback” on Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild.
