Florida Cyclist Carries Lost Baby Raccoon Asking Desperately For Help In His Backpack

Sometimes a little kindness goes a long way. A retired Tallahassee Police Sergeant was out for a relaxing bike ride when he spotted a baby raccoon in distress. The story of how he got the orphaned raccoon to safety will warm your heart.

13. Distress Signal

Image: Tallahassee Police Department

Retired Tallahassee Police Sergeant Dave Ferrell is a dedicated cyclist and a nature-lover. On August 16, he was enjoying a relaxing ride on the Tallahassee-St. Marks rail-trail in Tallahassee, Florida, when a frightening sound stopped him dead in his tracks. There was an animal in distress.

12. Baby Raccoon

Image: Image: Tallahassee Police Department

Ferrell quickly stopped his cycle. There, in the middle of the singletrack path, was a tiny raccoon. It was crying in distress, and all alone. Ferrell reacted immediately.

11. Careful

Image: Facebook

Since Ferrell is an outdoor enthusiast, he knew just what to do. First, he started looking for the little one’s mother. Experts advise not to remove wild animals right away when they are found; often their mother or siblings are nearby.

10. Searching

Image: Newsweek

But this time, the raccoon was on its own. Despite Farrell’s best efforts, he couldn’t find the baby raccoon’s mom. Farrell knew he had to do something to help, so he took off his backpack and got down on the ground. Luckily, he was wearing a Camelbak – a rugged bag for hydration and just the right size for a baby raccoon!

9. Good Samaritan

Image: Facebook

Farrell was once the supervisor of the Tallahassee Police Department’s Bike Squad. He was great at thinking on his feet – and his pedals. He knew that in the wildlife of North Florida, many dangers could jeopardize the raccoon’s life.

8. Rescued

Image: Image: Tallahassee Police Department

So Farrell loaded the little raccoon in his backpack and pedaled him to safety at the Tallahassee Police Department.  “Mom was nowhere to be found, and I couldn’t leave him out there for the ’yotes to finish [him] off, so I loaded him up and brought him in,” Ferrell explained in a Facebook post. Yotes being “coyotes.”

7. Trail Head

Image: Facebook

An officer from the Tallahassee Police Department met Farrell at the trailhead to make sure he had a special escort. The two made the trip together. The raccoon was scared but felt much more secure.

6. Relaxed Ride

Image: Tallahassee Police Department

“He really relaxed and enjoyed the ride in that CamelBak,” Ferrell wrote. “He just kind of chilled out back there!” The pictures show a pretty chill little guy. He seemed to sense that he was in the right hands.

5. Highly Intelligent

Image: Petslady

Raccoons are very common in Florida and are often seen around homes, campsites, and parks. They are usually harmless and are highly intelligent. Although some consider raccoons as pests, it is important to let animal control help remove raccoons so they can do so safely.

4. Healthy Eaters

Image: Florida.gov

Raccoons love to eat and can eat almost anything. Many people start feeding raccoons, which love getting handouts. This leads raccoons to move into more urban areas, as they search for food in garbage cans, sheds, and garages. Still, they are total charmers.

3. Wildlife Rescue

Image: St. Francsis

Once they made it back to the station, the police contacted St. Francis Wildlife Rescue, named after the patron saint of animals. Says St. Francis: St. Francis Wildlife is the oldest and largest agency of its kind in the Florida panhandle that cares for all native wild animals that come into our hospital. They care for approximately 3,000 birds, mammals, and reptiles per year.

2. Bad Shape

Image: Wakulla Wildlife Sanctuary

Emily Shaw was in charge of his care. Unfortunately, he was in poor shape. He was covered in fly egg parasites, so she carefully removed each one. It was obvious that if he had been left on the trail, he would have been prey for a larger animal soon. He was rescued just in time.

1. Healthy

Image: Tallahassee Police Department

Shaw nursed him back to full health. She told The Dodo that he had a new lease on life. “He is doing fantastic!” Shaw said. She credited Farrell for saving him. “He almost certainly would have died if [Ferrell] had not found him.”

  • Todd Sumamno

    Todd is a seasoned writer and journalist with a passion for exploring the intersection of technology and design. With over a decade of experience in the industry, he has established himself as a trusted voice in the tech and design communities. Todd's writing career began in the early 2000s, when he started contributing to various online publications and blogs. He quickly gained a reputation for his ability to break down complex technical concepts into engaging and accessible language, making him a go-to writer for tech companies and startups looking to communicate their ideas to a wider audience. In recent years, Todd has focused on writing about the latest trends and innovations in the tech and design spaces. He has covered everything from artificial intelligence and machine learning to user experience (UX) design and human-computer interaction. His writing has appeared in a range of publications, including major tech websites, design magazines, and industry-specific journals. Todd's writing style is characterized by his ability to balance technical accuracy with engaging storytelling. He is known for his ability to distill complex ideas into clear and concise language, making him a favorite among readers who are looking for in-depth analysis and insight into the latest tech and design trends. When he's not writing, Todd can be found attending industry conferences and events, where he stays up-to-date on the latest developments in the tech and design worlds. He is also an avid user of new technologies and loves to experiment with new tools and platforms. Overall, Todd is a highly respected and experienced writer who is dedicated to helping readers understand the latest trends and innovations in the tech and design spaces. His writing is informative, engaging, and always insightful, making him a valuable resource for anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve in these rapidly evolving fields.

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