Carolina Tiger Rescue is a 501(c)3 nonprofit wildlife sanctuary whose mission is saving and protecting wild cats in captivity and in the wild.
We’ve winter-ized the kinkajous!
The four Carolina Tiger Rescue kinkajous – Albert, Lola, Baxter, and Wednesday – are now indoors for the winter. The keepers moved them into their indoor kinkajou houses a few months ago when temperatures began to drop.
These small animals are not comfortable in temperatures below 50 degrees. Because they are nocturnal, they’re awake during the coldest part of the night. While they’re sleep during the day, their metabolism drops. Even in mild temperatures, they could wake up shivering cold.
The indoor kinkajou house in the vet center.
Albert Kinkajou
Lola Kinkajou
Wednesday Kinkajou
Baxter Kinkajou
Albert, 28, was born at Carolina Tiger as part of the former breeding program. Wednesday, 32, was formerly a pet. She was declawed and has arthritis as a result. Wednesday is also the sanctuary’s oldest animal. Lola, the youngest Carolina Tiger kinkajou at 9, was rescued from a woman’s backyard in High Point. Baxter is our most recent kinkajou rescue. He came to Carolina Tiger Rescue in June of 2018, and was relinquished by a private owner because he became too difficult to handle.
Kinkajous are popular in the exotic pet trade because people believe their small stature makes them easy to care for. This could not be further from the truth, as kinkajous are equipped with sharp teeth and claws, and can be incredibly feisty when they feel threatened or bothered.
Keepers and animal care volunteers will provide the kinkajous with additional blankets and heaters as needed.
The kinkajous are the only residents at Carolina Tiger who need to be inside for the winter. All others will get straw in their den boxes, and some — including small cats and the elderly animals — will get heating pads.
