Although heroic efforts were implemented (including digging up a newly paved parking lot in a Watsonville shopping center), rescuers were not able to save the life of a raccoon who had gotten himself stuck in a drain. The rescue effort began around 3 a-m Friday morning, and ended with the racoon’s extrication around 10 p-m that night. Even though the raccoon was taken to a local veterinary clinic, he had reportedly suffered from dehydration and hypothermia, and he passed away around 5 a-m Sunday morning.
Wildlife Emergency Services, who affected the rescue, hopes the community will make donations to help fix the torn-up parking lot.
