Young raccoons reunited after storm drain rescue in Fulton

FULTON, N.Y. — Two young raccoons are safe after a rescue involving a quick-thinking teen and members of the Fulton Fire Department.

Jennifer Rossister-Vant said her son, Tyler Vant, was riding his scooter Saturday when he heard an animal crying.

Tyler followed the sound and found a young raccoon standing on top of a storm drain grate. According to Rossister-Vant, the animal appeared to be trying to reach its sibling, which was trapped below.

Tyler called the Fulton Fire Department for help opening the grate.

Rossister-Vant said firefighters continued working even after the frightened raccoon moved farther into the storm drain pipe. After a lengthy effort, firefighters were able to safely remove the animal and reunite the siblings.

“Thanks to Tyler Vant’s quick thinking and our local firefighters, the raccoons will be on their way to a wildlife rehabilitation specialist, where they’ll be cared for until they can be released,” Rossister-Vant wrote in a post shared with a Fulton community group.

According to Rossister-Vant, the two raccoons are with Whispering Woods Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation based in the Town of Mexico. Whispering Woods Wildlife Rehabilitation is a donations-based operation here in central New York.

She also thanked the department and the rehabilitation specialists for their “kindness and dedication” during the rescue.

Rossister-Vant gave CNY Central permission to use her account of the rescue.