This past October, rescuers at Rockland Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation (RWRR), a New York-based nonprofit, received a call from a nearby homeowner about an animal stuck in a tree with a peanut butter jar on his head, obscuring his vision and mobility. Worried team members quickly headed to the scene to see how they could assist.
Rockland Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation
When RWRR cofounders Andres and Jamie Alves arrived, they peered up into the branches and spotted the animal — a raccoon — high up in the air, about 15 feet above their heads.
The rescuers set up a ladder, which Andres ascended while Jamie steadied him below.
“I approached very slowly and purposefully so as not to scare the raccoon,” Andres told The Dodo. “They didn’t move at all, poor little one.”
Andres attempted to grab the raccoon, but couldn’t get a good hold given the position of the jar. When the raccoon began moving up the tree, Andres knew he needed to act fast.
Rockland Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation
“I knew that it would be much less … safe for me to climb any higher,” Andres said. “I very quickly grabbed the jar, [and] the raccoon pulled back and separated from [it]!”
Relieved rescuers watched as the raccoon scurried away.
“[I]t was clear that aside from hours of discomfort and most likely difficult breathing, the raccoon was perfectly fine,” Andres said.
Rockland Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation
Andres and Jamie are glad the homeowners made the call that day, as they always appreciate when people care enough to help an animal in need. To avoid situations like this in the future, the animal experts encourage community members to rinse their jars and cans thoroughly before putting them in the recycling and to make sure all recycling and garbage bins are tightly secured. Crushing metal cans can also prevent animals from getting their heads stuck inside.
Luckily, in this case, the raccoon’s mistake only cost him a few hours of hardship, and now, thanks to the dedicated rescuers, he’s free to continue his life in the wild.
To help other animals like this raccoon, you can make a donation to Rockland Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation. 
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