LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — A small raccoon was rescued and is safely recovering thanks to the help of a Lancaster County non-profit.
Raven Ridge Wildlife Center posted on Facebook that they received a call from a concerned commuter who noticed a small raccoon curled up on one of the high piers of the Route 462 Bridge on his daily commute.
The commuter noticed the raccoon on his way into work, his way back from work and the following morning. Concerned, he stopped on the bridge, activated his hazard lights and gently tossed a jacket over the cold, scared animal.
The man then called police, but- after waiting for an hour with no response- had to leave for work, hoping the raccoon would be rescued later that day.
However, on his way home, the citizen saw the raccoon again in the same spot. Realizing the urgency of the situation, he called Raven Ridge who quickly mobilized at the scene.
Although raccoons can be potentially dangerous as they are considered rabies vector species, the Raven Ridge team is fully vaccinated and trained to handle the animals.
Two members of the Raven Ridge team quickly moved to save the frightened raccoon.
"As they reached the top of the pier, each team member secured a light fixture with one arm while holding a net in the other. They worked carefully at over 100 feet above the Susquehanna River," officials with Raven Ridge wrote in a Facebook post.
Unfortunately, just as volunteers had the raccoon securely caught in both nets, it became startled by a passing tractor-trailer, slipped out and fell over 100 feet into the river.
A team member walked the entire length of the bridge to monitor the raccoon as it swam and bobbed in the brought water, while other team members drove to the riverbank to stage a rescue.
"The exhausted raccoon hesitated to come ashore as the team waited with nets at the shore. Despite the cold water, the team bravely entered the river and was able to safely secure the wet and scared animal on land," volunteers with the nonprofit wrote.
The raccoon was swiftly wrapped in a towel and taken to Raven Ridge's facility for emergency treatment. Fortunately, the critter was in good shape, with no broken bones or severe exterior injuries.
The raccoon is now safe, dry, warm and resting with a full belly.
"We look forward to relocating this little guy to a safer environment where he can live a secure life," officials wrote. "It really takes a village to make a difference and save a fuzzy life."
The nonprofit extended a thank you to Officer Brian Stutzman of the West Hempfield Township Police Department as well as fire police and the West Hempfield Fire Department for their assistance during the rescue.
