BURTON, Mich. – A group of Michigan men have gone viral after rescuing a wild raccoon that was choking on food.
Three men were hanging out in Genesee County one night when a wild raccoon approached them. Tyler Whalen, Bill Boski and John Ptaszenski said the raccoon didn’t attack them, but rather appeared to be in distress.
Boski went over to the animal, which stood on its hind legs in a way that made it clear it was choking, the group said. Boski patted the raccoon’s back, and the raccoon welcomed the help.
Whalen didn’t think Boski was doing it correctly, and began coaching him on how to do it better. Boski patted the raccoon lower, and the animal coughed up a piece of cheese.
Free to dumpster dive another day, the raccoon sashayed away. One of the men happened to capture the rescue on video -- which has since been viewed tens of millions of times.
The men have nicknamed the raccoon Rocket, after the character from Guardians of the Galaxy. They said they don’t mind if Rocket comes to hang out again.
---> Related: The majestic and surprising unifying power of raccoons
Find more on Michigan’s wildlife, including bats, beavers, deer and more, on the Department of Natural Resources website here.