Fire fighter frees raccoon trapped in a tree

A fat raccoon had to be freed by firemen after getting its head stuck in a tree in New Jersey.

A raccoon. Image by Caleb Feese

Seeing the animal flailing around and unable to loosen its head on the tree at a corner between Otis Avenue and Marine Street in Tuckerton, a local man rang for help. Fire Department personnel said the raccoon clawed at the tree as it panicked to break free. However in the end, a fireman went up the tree to its aid.

Lt. Wayne Tonnenson, a retired state conservation officer, joined the fire personnel who used a chisel to make the hole bigger for the raccoon’s head to escape. NBC4New York report that immediately after being released, the animal scampered away looking none the worse for wear.