A raccoon that was found with her head stuck in a sewer grate has been released after eight people and an ambulance crew worked for over two hours.
When Newton Fire Department arrived at the scene on Thursday morning in Massachusetts, they expected it would be an easy release using ‘soap and water.’
But after attempts to pull the juvenile furry critter out of the small square hole they released that she was firmly wedged in and had to think outside of the box.
The rescue, which took more than two hours, even saw them remove the sewer grate in a bid to free her.
They even flagged down an ambulance during the efforts and tried to compress the swollen neck of the raccoon so that she could slip out.
But nothing worked until animal control were able to sedate her so that she could be freed without constantly wriggling and fighting off rescuers.
After being kept for observation she was released on Friday and while climbing away appeared to take a thankful glance back at one of the teams who saved her.
When Newton Fire Department arrived on the scene they found a distressed raccoon (above) with her head trapped in a sewer grate
Rescuers tried to release her with soap and water without any luck and were eventually forced to remove the drain (above). But even that didn’t work alone
After being freed on Friday, the raccoon appeared to take a short thankful back at some of her rescuers (above)
Newton Fire Department tweeted: ‘Distressed raccoon who got her head stuck in a sewer grate rescued after ‘two hour long saga’ including eight people, lots of soap and an ambulance crew has now been released.
‘He had been stuck for a while but we are happy to report he is free…We rescue citizens both big and small!!!
‘Always willing to help our 4 legged friends. It was quite the operation.’
The amusing encounter was shared by passerby John Newton who noticed the constricted critter on his way to work and called the fire department at around 10am.
He watched events unfold as the poor raccoon initially clung onto the sewer grate and later while still trapped but on the grass.
Newton saw teams keep her hydrated with a water bottle, give her oxygen, anesthetize and finally free her after a heroic rescue effort.
Newton tweeted that it was ‘Great to see so many animal lovers in the group’ all trying to save a ‘little trash panda’ – a reference to the film ‘Guardians of the Galaxy.’
The raccoon was captured clinging for dear life (left) as she held onto the metal grate of the sewer. During the rescue she was given water (right), oxygen and eventually was sedated
There were more than eight people attempting to help the raccoon (above)
Newton Fire Department (above) shared their arduous battle to free the raccoon online
The team joked about the lengths they had to go to in order to free the raccoon (above)
Captain Eric Fricke of the fire department told The Washington Post that this was the first raccoon recovery he had seen in 15 years with the department.
He explained that the process took longer because she was ‘fighting the whole process’ and under normal circumstances soap and water works ’99 per cent of the time.’
‘Those guys, try as they might, didn’t really have the tools to free the raccoon,’ Fricke told the site.
‘Everybody’s just happy that there was a positive outcome and they were able to get he out. Hopefully, he will recover and be off and live his life.’
Waltham Animal Control took the raccoon to their center for monitoring, to ensure the sedation had wore-off and that she was healthy.
They were able to set her free on Friday and filmed her slowly emerging from a carry-case into the woods.
As the raccoon slowly climbed up a tree she appeared to stop and stare back at her rescuer before carrying on up.
It took more than eight people to free the trapped raccoon (above)
Crews worked for over two hours trying to free the raccoon (above)
The raccoon was released on Friday (above) and happily climbed up a tree to savor her freedom
They wrote online: ‘Happy to report I was able to release the juvenile raccoon today back near where she was found. It takes a village!!
‘Thanks to everyone who helped…Newton Fire and PD, Cataldo ambulance and Mass animal medical center.’
On social media people were amazed by the committed response from authorities.
‘God bless you guys,’ tweeted Karla Ambrose.
‘Thank you for your kindness and caring!’ Fran Forman added.
‘Faith in humanity slightly restored,’ posted David Walleser.
User ‘That.Detroit.Girl’ wrote: ‘i normally hate raccoons but i feel bad for this one. no one should be stuck that close to a sewer.’