A raccoon in a tight spot got some much-needed help from Flagler County employees on Wednesday.
According to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office, Agricultural and Ranch Deputy Steve Williams along with emergency services personnel and animal control officers responded to the area of Wadsworth Park in Flagler Beach on Wednesday, in reference to the report of a animal in distress.
Once on scene, Deputy Williams and emergency personnel with Station 11 quickly located a raccoon high up in a tree with a plastic peanut butter container stuck on his head.
As the raccoon peered through the plastic jar, Deputy Williams bravely climbed a ladder to help rescue the critter.
The raccoon was already scared when he got startled, and scurried across the tree branch, jumping to another tree making his rescue an even more difficult task.
Fire Rescue personnel used their hose to spray the raccoon with water as Deputy Williams and others held a tarp on the ground below. The raccoon fell safely from the tree onto the tarp, but evaded capture a second time by running from the rescuers.
Once the animal was safely apprehended, the plastic container was removed and the raccoon was released back into the wilderness.
“The actions of Deputy Williams and all other rescue personnel saved this raccoon from certain death,” said Sheriff James L. Manfre. “Residents should not feed wild animals and should use caution when encountering them,” he added.
Residents may report injured or sick animals to Flagler County Animal Control Services by calling 386-986-2520.