14 June 2023 , 20:13
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A driver who noticed a "strange creature" injured on the side of the road as she drove ended up getting more than she bargained for when things took a turn for the worse.
Assuming it was a lemur, the woman pulled over and tried to help it, grabbing a towel from the back of her vehicle and wrapping the animal up and placing it on her back seat.
But that's when the mystery animal attacked.
The creature, which was not, in fact, a lemur, began "causing havoc" in her vehicle, according to the City of Antonio Animal Care Services.
"While her intentions to help the animal were pure, the animal quickly became agitated, and Miss U had to exit her vehicle and call 3-1-1 for help to keep from getting injured," the service said.
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The 'strange creature' a Texas woman rescued wasn't a lemur — it was a ringtail (City of San Antonio Animal Care Services)
The woman had rescued it from the side of a Texas road (City of San Antonio Animal Care Services)An officer identified the creature as a ringtail, which is defined as "a cat-sized carnivore resembling a small fox with a long raccoon-like tail" by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
"Its bushy tail is flattened and nearly as long as the head and body, with alternating black and white rings," the department's website states — just like a lemur.
They're largely nocturnal, too, making spotting one a "rare treat" in the wild, Animal Care Services said.
"Miss U", who had been driving through the streets of San Antonio, Texas, didn't sustain any injuries from the incident, and the officer who responded was able to remove the ringtail from her car and transport it to an animal emergency room.
From there, it was taken to Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, a sanctuary that helps rehabilitate injured animals and release them back into the wild.
"We love having animal lovers, like Miss U, in our community; however, we ask you to PLEASE report injured wildlife to 3-1-1 for the safety of all involved," Animal Care Services said. "If you see an animal in need, you can make a report by dialing 3-1-1 or by visiting saacs.info/311."
The Facebook post garnered 46 comments and 326 reactions.
Several users expressed their support for "Miss U."
"Don't feel bad Miss U, I would have probably done the same thing," said Kim Mahr.
"I would’ve done the same," echoed Jackie Vasquez. "Now I know better."
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"Oh boy that must've been an exciting car ride," wrote Colette Resnikoff Cce. "Thank you for helping this angry little critter."