Third on-the-run raccoon found on Isle of Wight
Searches are continuing for a fourth who escaped from a wildlife park on Friday (November 1st)
Last updated 4th Nov 2024
A third raccoon has been recovered after escaping from a zoo on the Isle of Wight, leaving just one on the run.
The animal was one of four female racoons who got free from their compound at Amazon World Zoo Park in Sandown on Friday morning (November 1st).
The zoo announced its recapture with a "Raccoon Update" on social media early on Monday, saying "Number 3 has been caught", accompanied with pictures of the animal in a cage.
It gave no details of where the raccoon was caught.
The first raccoon was recovered on Friday night in Newchurch, close to the zoo's grounds, while the second was discovered near to the parrot enclosures on Saturday nights.
After checks, the first two recovered animals were being kept in an enclosure not on show to the public, along with another raccoon who did not escape.
The zoo issued a "huge thank you to all the staff" for their "huge team effort" in trying to recover the animals.
Since raccoons are nocturnal, the majority of the rescue efforts have been taking place at night with staff using tracker dogs and drones to try and locate the escaped animals.
Rachel Patrick, a head keeper at the zoo, said on Friday that members of the public should remain vigilant "especially from 4.30pm and through the night".
She added: "Check your gardens, trees, hedgerows, and sheds just as if you were looking for a lost cat or dog.
"Please do not approach the animals. They are not aggressive normally but will be scared."
The zoo has asked anyone who spots the one missing raccoon to take a picture if safe to do so, with any reports sent to the raccoon hotline by phone, message or WhatsApp on 07956 194981.