'Bit of a surprise to get a call about a raccoon'

RSPCA said the racoon was captured at Gwennap, Cornwall

An overweight racoon has been rescued in Cornwall.

The RSPCA said the racoon was captured at Gwennap and was now at its West Hatch Wildlife Centre, where he was getting cared for before going to a permanent home.

The charity said it had thanked members of the public for their help and RSPCA officer Abi Kemp rescued the animal, which weighed about three times the normal weight for the species at about 11.2 kg (2 stone 1lb),

Ms Kemp, who works to rescue animals across Devon and Cornwall, said: "We're so grateful for everyone who gave him a helping hand, including St Clement Vets and their head nurse for dropping everything and joining me and allowing me to hold the raccoon there overnight."

After it was spotted, it was corralled into a greenhouse by nearby residents until rescuers could arrive, the charity said.

Invasive species

Racoons are wild non-domesticated animals native to southern Canada, most of the United States, central America and northern parts of south America.

However, they were on the British list of invasive alien species, due to the risk they posed to native wildlife, the RSPCA said.

There were restrictions on keeping racoons and they could no longer be legally bred or sold.

Anyone who already owned a raccoon before the regulations were introduced in August 2016 was allowed to keep the animal for the rest of its natural life, but must keep them in a secure enclosure, it added.

Raccoons are on the GB list of invasive alien species, due to the risk they pose to native wildlife

Ms Kemp said it was "a bit of a surprise to get a call about a raccoon".

She said: "I find myself helping all kinds of animals, some who are sadly in awful conditions, suffering cruelty, neglect and abandonment.

"It's always an honour to be able to help every animal to safety, but it's always extra special when it's slightly unusual like this rescue."