Carlsbad, NM – A small wild mammal known as a ringtail was captured at the Natural Entrance of the cave in Carlsbad Caverns National Park last week after it was observed behaving abnormally. Park staff closed the area as a safety precaution and caught the animal. The ringtail tested positive for rabies after being analyzed by the New Mexico Department of Health and Science in Albuquerque, NM.
By exercising caution, park staff kept visitor and employee safety as the first priority. “Staff did the right thing by swiftly closing the Natural Entrance to ensure the safety of the visiting public and employees,” said Superintendent Doug Neighbor.
The ringtail (Bassariscus astutus), a largely nocturnal species that normally would have been asleep and out of sight in late morning, was instead in the open and behaving aggressively. Ringtails – sometimes called ringtailed cats, though they are related to the raccoon and the coati and are not a feline species – are aloof and skittish around humans. This particular animal showed no fear or flight response when approached by park staff.
“While it is quite uncommon that we find wildlife infected with rabies in national parks, this is a good reminder that wildlife can be victims of disease, too. Visitors and staff should always be vigilant and report animals that act strangely,” said Veterinarian Dr. Danielle Buttke with the National Park Service’s Office of Public Health in the Biological Resources and Wildlife Health Division in Ft. Collins, CO.
For more information on park regulations, visitation or park tours, please contact us at 575-785-2232 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/cave.
Information from NPS