The raccoon was nursing and was “desperate” to get back to her babies.
An animal shelter in California, US, recently told a resident how to remove a raccoon that managed to lock itself forward after chewing through a roof. The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter said on Facebook that Wildlife Emergency Services received the call on Monday regarding the trapped animal. They even shared a photo of half the raccoon’s body sticking out of the roof of a house in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
“Knowing that time was crucial, [Wildlife Emergency Services] told the citizen how to push the raccoon through the hole so it wouldn’t choke,” the post’s caption read.
Speak with news weekRebecca Dmytryk, the founder and CEO of Wildlife Emergency Services, said it’s not common for raccoons to try to dig or chew through roofs. However, in this case, while the raccoon was nursing, she was “desperate” to get back to her babies trapped inside.
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Ms. Dmytryk explained that the homeowner recently had repairs completed and an attic vent containing the raccoon babies was shut off when the mother raccoon was away from them. “This is her attempt to return to her babies,” she said. Ms Dmytryk also added that she told the homeowners that it was imperative to act quickly to remove the animal before it died from overexertion trying to reach the babies or from heat stress.
Ms Dmytryk said the homeowner first removed the vents and, with the help of some nearby construction workers, opened the hole. After 30 minutes, when the hole was all the way open, the raccoon fell.
Now, for the next few days, the homeowners will leave the animal alone. Wildlife authorities will then work together to encourage the family to continue using repellents.
“This is a warning to all homeowners and pest control companies, contractors and handymen,” said Ms. Dmytryk, adding, “Do not plug holes on the outside of the house without taking precautions, and make sure nothing is in there.”
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According to the media, she suggested using tissue paper or newspaper to lightly block a hole on the outside of the house. Ms Dmytryk also said that while this case seems like an unusual story, animals will try to find a place to live with their babies, especially if a reliable source of food and shelter is available.
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