An outdoor excursion took a wild turn in Cochise County, where a hiker was accosted by a coatimundi, a member of the raccoon family, according to 12 News. The confrontation took place in Ash Canyon, south of Sierra Vista, on Sunday when the hiker discovered the animal perched atop his vehicle, leading to an aggressive encounter that left the man with scratches and bites, after the coatimundi had torn off a windshield wiper from the car.

The incident resulted in the hiker needing to seek medical attention at a local hospital where he started a rabies vaccine regimen as a safety measure, the man was able to escape further injury by getting inside his vehicle as the animal remained unaccounted for, with searches by a USDA wildlife specialist yielding no traces of the feisty creature, as reported by AZ Family. Coatis, known to traverse in groups especially amongst females and their young, with males typically leading a solitary existence, are diurnal animals, differing from their nocturnal raccoon cousins by being active during daylight.

Authorities highlighted the importance of vigilance in rural or mountainous regions, advising against interactions with wildlife, "We encourage people spending time in rural/mountainous areas to be aware of their surroundings and not attempt to engage any wild animal," deputies were cited in a statement obtained by AZ Family. This advisory comes not only in conjunction with the present situation but also aligns with additional cases in Cochise County concerning rabies found in two gray foxes near Ramsey Canyon.