Pets
Raccoon Scales Saint Paul Skyscraper, Becomes Social Media Star
The #mprraccoon captivated the nation as it climbed 23 floors of a downtown office building Tuesday.
SAINT PAUL, MN — An adventurous raccoon quickly became a social media star after it embarked on an impressive journey up a skyscraper in downtown Saint Paul Tuesday. Minnesota Public Radio reporter Tim Nelson, who began diligently tacking the creature's movements that morning, provided live coverage as it scaled all 23 floors.
MPR News even gave the raccoon its very own hashtag, #mprraccoon, which continues to trend on Twitter in the United States. It's also been appropriately dubbed the "spider-raccoon."
Millions watched its advancements anxiously, fearing the raccoon might lose its grip or slip and fall. When the sun set, building management told employees the raccoon would probably climb down overnight, but it never did.
Find out what's happening in Saint Paulfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
After a nap, the critter continued to crawl and reached the roof of the tower just before 3 a.m. Wednesday, where it walked into a live trap set by animal control.
The journey was over.
Find out what's happening in Saint Paulfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Top floor law firm @donnelly_law says UBS building management has told them the #mprraccoon formerly in their window HAS BEEN TRAPPED.
— Tim Nelson (@timnelson_mpr) 13 June 2018
The raccoon was released on private residential property in the southwest suburbs of the Twin Cities metro Wednesday afternoon.
What you've all been waiting for... #MissionImpossible #MPRraccoon @kare11 @ElleryTV @DPet_KARE11News @timnelson_mpr pic.twitter.com/SZKNem45yf
— Alicia Lewis (@alicialewisKARE) 13 June 2018
The #mprraccoon just made it to the roof! Video courtesy @DPet_KARE11News pic.twitter.com/Wb5xPsANZh
— Tim Nelson (@timnelson_mpr) 13 June 2018
Goodnight room
Goodnight moon
Goodnight #MPRraccoon
— Erin Maye Quade (@ErinMayeQuade) 13 June 2018
Fb friend made this #mprraccoon pic.twitter.com/wxHG2bZN3C
— Chelsea Parker (@crparker10) 12 June 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) 12 June 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) 12 June 2018
My picture from the 13th floor around noon. Hope he makes it down OK! #mprraccoon pic.twitter.com/gfVWysn9iO
— Ben (@Johnson88Ben) 12 June 2018
Saga of the #mprraccoon trending in the Twin Cities. TV news crew is outside filming every minute. "Hang in there buddy" on everyone's lips #mprlife pic.twitter.com/BDjGOdqdXi
— Michael Popham (@mpopham) 12 June 2018
The international control center at @MPR is monitoring the progress of #MPRraccoon pic.twitter.com/69ZvyqHjS5
— Local Current (@LocalCurrent) 12 June 2018
PUBLIC RADIO IS THE LITERAL BEST #mprraccoon pic.twitter.com/a0Xdb4ul67
— Brian Lauritzen (@BrianKUSC) 12 June 2018
The raccoon isn't the first animal to make headlines in the Twin Cities metro this year. In April, a mummified monkey was discovered in a downtown Minneapolis air duct by a demolition worker.
Image via Google Streetview
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