 The absence of scientifically sound population studies of "Nasua" or "Nasuella" in the wild is probably leading to a severe underestimation of the ecological problems and decline in numbers affecting the species.Coatis are one of five groups of procyonids commonly kept as pets in various parts of North, Central and South America, the others being the raccoons (common and crab-eating), the kinkajou, the ring-tailed cat and cacomistle.However, while both the white-nosed and South America coatis are common in captivity, mountain coatis are extremely rare in captivity.