The great escape.
Wildlife Inc., a Bradenton Beach-based animal rescue and rehab facility, received a call Jan. 13 about a raccoon at the BridgeWalk Resort, 100 Bridge St.
A volunteer was dispatched and, on arrival observed the 25-pound raccoon exhibiting a limp and began rescue efforts. During attempts to capture the animal, the raccoon made a dash from the third floor of the BridgeWalk to the parking lot.
Staff attempted to corral the animal but the raccoon made its way to a getaway car, where it curled up under the hood.
The car, a 2013 Nissan Sentra, belonged to BridgeWalk guest Raquel Rangel of Riverview.
“We were leaving the Bridgewalk Resort, were told by Krista Carpenter from Wildlife Inc. that there was a raccoon stuck in my engine and asked if I can open the hood of the car. I proceeded to throw the keys to her since I understand how raccoons can be aggressive when cornered,” Rangel told The Islander by email Jan. 15.
Opening the hood revealed how horribly the escape plan had gone for the raccoon. It was stuck. Attempts by Rangel, resort staff and Wildlife Inc. to remove the animal from the engine failed.
The raccoon was stuck for six hours before veterinarian Bill Bystrom of Island Animal Clinic in Holmes Beach came to the scene. Dr. Bystrom administered a sedative and removed the raccoon.
The animal was taken to Wildlife Inc. to be monitored and then released Jan. 18, according to Wildlife Inc. curator and founder Gail Straight. She said the animal was not injured and after some rest was ready to be reintroduced to the wild.
“It was just scared more or less. We kept him for a few days and he was fine so we released him and two other raccoons we were caring for around the same time,” she said Jan. 19. “We let them go way out east away from people. They seemed very happy.”
Wildlife Inc. is a nonprofit that depends on donations for day-to-day operations. To learn more, contact them at 941-778-6324.