A raccoon was found asleep in a dumpster at an Iowa brewery after it apparently got into leftover food and discarded drinks.
At Exile Brewing Co., the episode earned the animal the moniker "trashed panda" and led to a playful drink promotion, according to WYFF.
Here's what to know
Exile Brewing Co. social media manager Sam Golbuff explained that packaging team member Jake Solsma found the raccoon in a dumpster.
The animal had apparently consumed discarded food and beverages from the brewery.
Trying to let the raccoon leave on its own, Solsma placed a wooden pallet in the dumpster so it would have something to climb.
"He didn't," Golbuff said, per WYFF. "When we looked at the guy, he barely moved, only his eyes/paws a little."
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After seeing the raccoon in that condition, Golbuff said he, Solsma, and marketing associate Rocky Mock called animal control.
Staff were later told the raccoon was healthy, just intoxicated, and would be released into the wild, the outlet reported.
More background
Raccoons are highly adaptable in neighborhoods and commercial areas, and food waste can bring wild animals into close contact with people. They are often called "trash pandas" because of their love of trash cans and dumpsters as well as their markings.
After Golbuff shared a photo of the raccoon asleep in the dumpster, commenters embraced the "trashed panda" and floated ideas, such as making it an Exile mascot or tying the animal to a beer release or movie.
What's being done?
Instead of trying to handle the wild animal, employees set up a possible escape route.
When that failed, they contacted animal control.
The brewery also turned the bizarre moment into a customer promotion, according to WYFF.
Exile offered $1 off a first drink during a two-day special for anyone who ordered with the line, "I'll have what the raccoon had."
"[Animal control] came and removed him and informed us that they're glad we called, as raccoons tend to stress themselves out in these situations," Golbuff said, per WYFF. "He had overeaten/drank!"
Where can I learn more?
Trash, leftover food, and other easy meals often draw wildlife into such odd situations.
• Elsewhere, neighbors watched raccoons linger in a dumpster for hours and wondered if rescue was needed.
• In Virginia, authorities found a raccoon passed out in the bathroom inside a liquor store.
• Residents called a wildlife rescuer after a raccoon got stuck in a plastic jar.
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