Miami

South Florida Woman Taken to Area Hospital After Being Attacked By Lemur

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  • A 21-year-old Miami woman was taken to the hospital after being attacked by a lemur at her home.

A 21-year-old woman is recovering from injuries suffered when a lemur bit her outside her Miami home, authorities said.

A local media outlet reported that Victoria Valledor looked outside after hearing scratching noises on the door of her home Monday. When she opened the door to check, the lemur jumped on her and bit her.

Isabella Valledor said her sister called 911, but the lemur started chasing her again. She was taken to the hospital, where she required some stitches to close some of the bite marks.

Personnel with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission went to the home.

Wildlife spokesman Lorenzo Veloz said officials were able to coax the lemur away without sedation and capture it.

"That tells you it has had contact with humans,'' Veloz said.

Lemurs are not native to Florida, he said, adding that it would be "very rare to find one out in the wild.''

Veloz said investigators from the wildlife agency are trying to determine where the lemur came from. He said state records show there are about five people who have captive wildlife licenses in the area. Once the owner is located, Veloz said, officials will determine whether to issue a citation.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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