Health officials said a couple that found a sickly raccoon that later tested positive for rabies remains unidentified.

The Alabama Department of Public Health said the sickly animal was taken to the Big Bend Wildlife Sanctuary in Enterprise on the morning of Sept. 9. The couple said they found the raccoon, which appeared to be about 10 weeks old, on the side of the road and wrapped it in a shirt. The unknown individuals left the raccoon with a volunteer at the sanctuary without leaving any additional contact information.

The animal later died and tests confirmed it had rabies.

Anyone with knowledge of who the couple is should contact the ADPH at 1-800-338-8374.

Dr. Dee W. Jones, ADPH State Public Health Veterinarian, said the incident highlights the importance of good record-keeping and the importance of leaving wildlife alone.

"We really don't have any information about how to contact the individuals; we don't know if they were local or traveling through,” Jones said. “A situation like this makes it very difficult for us to make contact with people to provide them medical advice for their protection. A scratch or bite from a rabid animal is very dangerous, and we go to great lengths to notify anyone with any exposure a rabid animal."

Fatal diseases such as rabies can be transmitted to well-meaning humans and other wildlife diseases are spread when animals are picked up and transported to other locations. If you see an animal in need of assistance, leave the animal alone and call the nearest ACNR Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division Office to report the issue, ADPH advised.

The ACNR website is www.outdooralabama.com and the specific page for contacting district offices is https://www.outdooralabama.com/wildlife-section. People who have found wildlife may call 334-242-1814.