For one hungry raccoon in Barnstable, Massachusetts, an open jar of peanut butter was simply too tempting to pass up. He happily licked every last bit from the bottom — until his tasty snack turned into a trap.
The raccoon’s head got stuck in the jar, turning it into what rescuers later joked was a “helmet.” No matter how hard he wiggled, he couldn’t free himself.
“[O]nce his snack turned into a helmet, he needed a helping hand,” Cape Wildlife Center (CWC), of the New England Wildlife Centers, wrote on Facebook.
Panicked and thrashing, the little guy was in serious trouble until a passerby spotted him and called Barnstable Animal Control (BAC) for help.
An officer quickly scooped up the struggling raccoon and rushed him to the Cape Wildlife Center (CWC), where the veterinary team went straight to work.
“Our veterinary team was able to safely remove the jar and free our furry friend — jar intact, pride slightly bruised and peanut butter cravings definitely satisfied,” CWC shared on Facebook.
Once the jar was removed, the raccoon received a full exam, fluids, and a little time to recover. Thankfully, he hadn’t suffered any lasting harm. Soon, rescuers returned him to the very spot he was found — and watched as he waddled back into the wild, safe and sound.
“He probably thought twice about his next snack mission,” CWC joked.
While this raccoon’s story had a happy ending, wildlife experts warn that these incidents are common. Open food containers and unsecured trash can be dangerous for curious animals.
“To help critters avoid getting caught in situations like this, always be sure to secure all trash and recycling,” CWC urged.
As for this mischievous little “peanut butter bandit,” his rescue team hopes the lesson sticks — even if his love for salty-sweet snacks never fades.
To support the Cape Wildlife Center and help save more animals like him, donations can be made here.
