Charleston, SC — A morning walk along the beach turned into an unexpected wildlife rescue for a South Carolina couple who used a traffic cone to save a struggling raccoon from drowning in the Atlantic Ocean.
According to UPI, the incident took place when Will DeLeo and Elizabeth Heffron were walking near the shoreline in Charleston and noticed a raccoon fighting to stay afloat in the cold morning water.
A Struggle in the Surf
The couple said they initially thought the raccoon might find its way out on its own but soon realized the animal was too exhausted to climb out of the surf.
“We saw it keep slipping back in every time it tried to climb up,” DeLeo said. “It was heartbreaking to watch.”
Acting quickly, DeLeo grabbed a nearby traffic cone from the beach walkway and used it as a makeshift rescue tool.
Clever Use of a Traffic Cone
In a video shared on Instagram, DeLeo can be seen lowering the cone into the water toward the raccoon, allowing it to grab hold of the cone’s rim.
After a few failed attempts, DeLeo managed to lift the raccoon back onto dry land, where it briefly rested before sprinting away to safety.
“It slipped off a few times, but eventually it held on long enough for me to pull it up,” DeLeo told bystanders after the rescue.
The heartwarming footage quickly went viral, with commenters praising the couple’s quick thinking and compassion.
The story was first reported by UPI, which highlighted the unusual use of a traffic cone as an impromptu lifesaving device.
Online Praise for a Simple Act of Kindness
Viewers online called the rescue a reminder that small acts of kindness can make a big difference — even for wildlife. Animal welfare advocates also praised the couple for keeping their distance while helping, ensuring the raccoon was not harmed or further stressed.
“They did the right thing by helping without getting too close,” one wildlife rescuer commented.
Experts say beachgoers who encounter struggling animals should always use tools or barriers instead of direct contact and notify local wildlife authorities if the animal appears injured.
A Happy Ending on the Coast
The raccoon’s quick recovery — and the couple’s creative rescue — turned an ordinary morning stroll into a feel-good story that’s resonating far beyond Charleston.
What are your thoughts on this heartwarming act of compassion? Share your views in the comments below.
