A raccoon scaled a skyscraper in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota, on Tuesday, managing to climb at least 20 stories on UBS Tower as onlookers snapped photos from outside and within the structure.
Per WCCO, the raccoon was “first spotted at the Town Square building, huddled in a nook above the sidewalk,” but when building workers tried to rescue it from a potential fall, it decided to instead climb to nearly the top of the neighboring 25-story building. The raccoon has since steadily ascended UBS Tower, taking the time to groom itself and lay down along the way. Locals have deemed the animal “Spider-Raccoon,” per Minnesota Public Radio News.
This poor raccoon apparently got itself stranded on a ledge of the Town Square office building in downtown St. Paul, likely on an errant mission to raid pigeon nests on the skyway over 7th Street. It's been there for two days now, without food or water. @mprnews pic.twitter.com/fVI5pmdCWq
— Tim Nelson (@timnelson_mpr) June 12, 2018
According to NPR, firefighters have made appearances in the building to see where the raccoon was, and city officials have set up cat food-laden traps on the roof to lure the critter to the top where it can be safely retrieved. However, as of late Tuesday afternoon, the raccoon seems to have deemed it time for some rest around the 23rd floor.
Can you see him? He's waaaaaay up there pic.twitter.com/ZnRZGr2qH4
— Tad Vezner (@SPnoir) June 12, 2018
My picture from the 13th floor around noon. Hope he makes it down OK! #mprraccoon pic.twitter.com/gfVWysn9iO
— Ben (@Johnson88Ben) June 12, 2018
He is on the ledge on our floor. He seems to be doing well. We’ve been told that the building has live traps on the roof and are trying to get him to go up there. We all just have to keep our fingers crossed.. #mprraccoon pic.twitter.com/HY1PkuFKz0
— Paige Donnelly law (@donnelly_law) June 12, 2018
The #mprraccoon is doing a little grooming now that he's a social media star. You know, on a 23rd floor window ledge. @MPRnews pic.twitter.com/pGcwh7OJ6L
— Tim Nelson (@timnelson_mpr) June 12, 2018
Can confirm #MPRraccoon is still itchy. Got a little visit from @StPaulFireDept too! Cat food awaits it on the roof. pic.twitter.com/WeOTWmbaqz
— Evan Frost (@efrostee) June 12, 2018
Hopefully our little guy or gal will complete their ascent without harm, though as Minnesota Public Radio News’ Tim Nelson noted on Twitter, raccoons are really good climbers and more than capable of making their way back down should they feel the need to.
Update, 8:40pm ET: A live stream of the raccoon is available on WCCO’s Facebook page.
Update, 12:10am ET: According to WCCO, the raccoon indeed began a descent at around 11:30pm ET, “making it to the 14th floor about 15 minutes later.” Perhaps the little rascal knows exactly what it’s doing after all.
The #mprraccoon is that little dark spot up on the building. He's coming down, one floor at a time. Four stories so far. pic.twitter.com/emHwCh8gts
— Tim Nelson (@timnelson_mpr) June 13, 2018
The #mprraccoon has descended from the 23rd to the 18th floor of the UBS tower.
— Tim Nelson (@timnelson_mpr) June 13, 2018
I can hardly stand this anymore. 17th floor. #mprraccoon pic.twitter.com/CkhMlVyEqY
— Tim Nelson (@timnelson_mpr) June 13, 2018
An additional live stream courtesy of KARE 11 is available on Twitter here:
YES! #MPRraccoon is on his way DOWN the building! https://t.co/AG0id1ynsL
— KARE 11 (@kare11) June 13, 2018
