As a punishing heat wave gripped North Texas this week, one unexpected victim of the soaring temperatures wasn't a person: It was a kinkajou.

North Richland Hills police responded Thursday afternoon after reports of a "kangaroo or monkey" spotted lurking outside a local pizza shop. What officers actually found was a small, raccoon-related mammal native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America.

The animal appeared overheated and dehydrated, seeking any patch of shade it could find, police said.

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Officer Dylan Davis managed to safely capture the disoriented creature and hand it over to North Richland Hills Animal Services, where staffers are working to track down its owner or find it a permanent home.

Kinkajous are nocturnal, tree-dwelling animals built for humid jungle canopies, not sizzling asphalt parking lots. Wildlife experts note that during extreme heat events, even animals accustomed to warm climates can struggle without access to shade and water.

The department shared the story on social media with a lighthearted plea: "Soooo, anyone missing a kinkajou?"

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As the heat continues to bake the region, officials are reminding residents to check on both pets and any unusual backyard visitors trying to ride out the swelter.

On the radar: Helping animals in the heat

With temperatures climbing across the region, wildlife officials say the kinkajou's ordeal is a good reminder to keep an eye out for animals in distress. If you spot an animal that looks overheated, disoriented, or unusually still in the heat, experts recommend the following steps:

• Keep your distance. Even small or seemingly friendly animals can bite or scratch when stressed, especially if they're not native wildlife.
• Provide shade and water from afar, if it's safe to do so, without attempting to handle the animal directly.
• Call local animal control or police non-emergency lines rather than trying to capture the animal yourself.
• Avoid feeding or attempting to "rescue" exotic pets that may belong to someone nearby — many escaped pets, like the kinkajou, are simply lost, not abandoned.
• Report sightings promptly, since quick action can mean the difference between life and death during extreme heat.

Animal welfare groups emphasize that heat waves put extra strain on both wild and domestic animals, and public vigilance—paired with a call to the right professionals—can help ensure more happy endings like the kinkajou's.