Third Sunderland runaway raccoon captured at last

A racoon who had been evading animal rescuers for two months has been found safe and well just yards from his farm enclosure.

Meeko was one of three racoons to escape from Sunderland Training and Education Farm shortly before Christmas.

Two females, called Rocket and Pinch, were recaptured late last month.

Farm staff spotted Meeko on Saturday and had to cut down a small tree before getting him safely into a travel box.

Job with MI5?

Iain Watson, of Hartlepool's Racoon Rescue UK, was alerted to the news that Meeko had been chased up a tree.

The runaway animal had not gone far; he had travelled from one side of the farm house to another.

Mr Watson said paw prints gave him away, adding: "It's his territory. He knows there was food there. He was raiding other animals' enclosures.

"It's amazing none of the cameras had spotted him.

"Maybe he needs a job with MI5 or MI6."

'Very hardy'

The racoon, which appeared fit and well after his escapades, gave rescuers a bit of a runaround before eventually clambering up the tree.

Mr Watson said: "They cut the tree down and persuaded him to enter one of the small travel boxes.

"They're really relieved. It was coming up to two months he had given us the runaround.

"They're very hardy little animals."