Potentially harmful materials in the feces of wild ring-tailed coatis (Nasua nasua) and health implications

Abstract

In ecological parks, the proximity to tourist activities facilitates the exploration of garbage by coatis, with possible serious consequences for the animals health . We described the contents of wild coatis feces from three ecological parks. After analyzing 62 samples, fragments of plants and animals were identified in all feces. In the feces of two parks, seeds were present between 36.4% and 48.6% of the samples. Arthropod fragments were identified in 100% of the samples from two parks, but only 87.3% in a third park. Scales, bones or bird feathers were present in some samples. Undigested material of industrial origin was detected in 34.3% to 54.5% of the samples, such as fragments of paper, string, plastic, aluminum, latex and glass. Results are in line with other studies on the diet of wild coatis, but the intake of foreign bodies, potentially harmful to health, is described for the first time. Clinical problems resulting from ingesting waste can be dental fractures, mucosal erosions, intestinal perforation, peritonitis, impaction, diarrhea, weight loss, intoxication and infections. Coatis in the three parks are at risk of health, and actions are needed to avoid clinical and potentially fatal problems. Four actions are recommended to avoid ingesting foreign bodies: increasing the environmental education of visitors; improving the storage of waste generated in parks; periodically monitor the health of coatis, in order to make interventions when possible; make a permanent program to study the ecology of species in the three parks.

Search for antibodies against Trichinella in two synanthropic Procyonidae species from southeast Mexico: white-nosed coatis (Nasua narica) and raccoons (Procyon lotor)

“…Scavenging could be another source of infection, since raccoons and coatis were seen scavenging by park staff. Both raccoons and coatis eat a wide variety of foods, including garbage and dead animals (Rodrigues et al 2021 ), for white-nosed coatis even cannibalism has been reported (Russell 1981 ), that seems to be favored by overpopulation. Besides, both species were observed scavenging garbage in trash cans.…”

Terrestrial mammals of the Americas and their interactions with plastic waste

“…N. nasua are omnivores and have a varied diet that includes fruits, vertebrates, and invertebrates, and opportunistically take advantage of anthropogenic foods in areas where people congregate (Ferreira et al 2013 ). This species has been observed to ingest plastic wrappers with food debris (Montanelli 2001 ), a probable reason why plastics are found in fecal samples (Alves-Costa et al 2004 ; Ferreira et al 2013 ; Ambrosio Ferreira 2017 ; Rodrigues et al 2021 , 2022 ). However, elements such as metals, glass, threads, latex, and paper have also been recorded, suggesting sustained foraging on human waste residues (Rodrigues et al 2022 ).…”

“…This species has been observed to ingest plastic wrappers with food debris (Montanelli 2001 ), a probable reason why plastics are found in fecal samples (Alves-Costa et al 2004 ; Ferreira et al 2013 ; Ambrosio Ferreira 2017 ; Rodrigues et al 2021 , 2022 ). However, elements such as metals, glass, threads, latex, and paper have also been recorded, suggesting sustained foraging on human waste residues (Rodrigues et al 2022 ). The specific effects of plastic ingestion on coatis are so far unknown but should be studied further (Rodrigues et al 2022 ).…”

“…However, elements such as metals, glass, threads, latex, and paper have also been recorded, suggesting sustained foraging on human waste residues (Rodrigues et al 2022 ). The specific effects of plastic ingestion on coatis are so far unknown but should be studied further (Rodrigues et al 2022 ).…”