June 13 (UPI) — The saga of a raccoon that spent hours climbing the side of a 25-story Minnesota building culminated early Wednesday with the animal reaching the roof.
The story of the raccoon, which was dubbed the MPR raccoon after first being spotted by Minnesota Public Radio workers, began when it was spotted spending more than a day apparently trapped in a niche over the first floor of the Town Square building in St. Paul.
Workers attempted to rescue the raccoon by leaning a 20-foot length of lumber against the building, but the raccoon fled to the roof of the building and made its way to the neighboring UBS Tower shortly after noon on Tuesday.
The raccoon captivated social media users as it began to climb the tower, one of the tallest buildings in St. Paul.
Mayor Melvin Carter said city officials were working on a plan to rescue the raccoon as it ascended the skyscraper.
“Even wild animals know @cityofsaintpaul is a great place to reach for higher heights. We’re working with staff & building owner to find a way to help #MPRraccoon without further endangering it or staff by scaring or making it feel threatened,” he tweeted.
The raccoon was spotted by employees of the Paige Donnelly Law Firm, located on the 23rd floor, taking a nap outside an office window as afternoon turned into evening.
The animal appeared to start climbing down the building as nightfall arrived, but was soon spotted reversing course.
The raccoon was caught on video reaching the roof of the UBS Tower, where city animal control had placed live traps, about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Later Wednesday morning, MPR reporter Tim Nelson confirmed the traps succeeded in capturing the raccoon.
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