Can a raccoon climb out of a large, empty Dumpster? (dog, noise)

[chiroptera]

The Dumpster in question has sides that are maybe 5 feet tall. No ribbing or any sort of foothold inside.

Here's why I ask: Yesterday I was walking dogs in a little-visited county open space area. I opened the Dumpster in the parking lot to throw in dog poo and there was a raccoon curled up at the bottom. It moved a little when I made noise but didn't really wake up.
Today it was still curled up in the Dumpster, although in a different spot. Still unresponsive.
Racoons don't really hibernate around here (in fact I frequently see ones being very active around my house) but I know they can go dormant for a little while when it's cold. Although it is warming up here.

So my question: Is it possible this raccoon has just chosen the Dumpster as a nice place to sleep through the day, and can climb out easily at night? Or might it be stuck in there?

Maybe I'm being silly and I know they're extremely capable climbers, but I'm sort of worried about it. I could sneak out there in the evening and stick a board or something in, if people think it might be stuck.

[J'aimeDesVilles]

It is probably stuck.
A few years ago, I was volunteering at the Humane Society in Ann Arbor and went to throw some cardboard in the dumpster for cardboard. It was empty except for a not-too-happy raccoon on the bottom. A shelter employee came out with one of those poles with a loop at the end and snared the raccoon, lifted her out (she was hissing like crazy), and set her loose near the woods. She appeared to be a nursing mother so hopefully she found her way back to her babies.

[chiroptera]

Well.
I discovered there was a wildlife management division with the county parks and he suggested I try again with a board or branch this evening. He also agreed it was most likely trapped.
He also suggested lowering a milk jug with water and a little food down there to give the poor critter some nutrition.
I wonder if it's so sluggish because it's starved and dehydrated? Poor thing! It did look somewhat skinny, although hard to tell with it being all curled up.

I'll prepare a little care package and go back over there just before dark.

[Almrausch]

Originally Posted by chiroptera

The Dumpster in question has sides that are maybe 5 feet tall. No ribbing or any sort of foothold inside.

Here's why I ask: Yesterday I was walking dogs in a little-visited county open space area. I opened the Dumpster in the parking lot to throw in dog poo and there was a raccoon curled up at the bottom. It moved a little when I made noise but didn't really wake up.
Today it was still curled up in the Dumpster, although in a different spot. Still unresponsive.
Racoons don't really hibernate around here (in fact I frequently see ones being very active around my house) but I know they can go dormant for a little while when it's cold. Although it is warming up here.

So my question: Is it possible this raccoon has just chosen the Dumpster as a nice place to sleep through the day, and can climb out easily at night? Or might it be stuck in there?

Maybe I'm being silly and I know they're extremely capable climbers, but I'm sort of worried about it. I could sneak out there in the evening and stick a board or something in, if people think it might be stuck.

I don't think they can that easily climb out of a dumpster. If you still see the raccoon in the dumpster and want to help it get out put a piece of lumber in the dumpster with one end on the top of the dumpster and the other end in the bottom of the dumpster, The raccoon will climb out on its own.Or call someone who rescues animals.

[chiroptera]

Originally Posted by Almrausch

I don't think they can that easily climb out of a dumpster. If you still see the raccoon in the dumpster and want to help it get out put a piece of lumber in the dumpster with one end on the top of the dumpster and the other end in the bottom of the dumpster, The raccoon will climb out on its own.Or call someone who rescues animals.

I didn't include this in my OP, but I did lean a piece of scrap plywood in there yesterday. Today, the board was gone and the raccoon was still there.
There aren't any active wildlife rehabbers left in this county, unfortunately.
So I'm going back in a couple of hours with some more boards, some water and some food.

If all else fails, I have live traps and I can lower one down there baited with something good. In fact, come to think of it...maybe I can do that this evening. But I'd like to give it the chance to eat, drink, then climb out on its own.

[Almrausch]

Originally Posted by chiroptera

I didn't include this in my OP, but I did lean a piece of scrap plywood in there yesterday. Today, the board was gone and the raccoon was still there.
There aren't any active wildlife rehabbers left in this county, unfortunately.
So I'm going back in a couple of hours with some more boards, some water and some food.

If all else fails, I have live traps and I can lower one down there baited with something good. In fact, come to think of it...maybe I can do that this evening. But I'd like to give it the chance to eat, drink, then climb out on its own.

Looks like somebody removed your board on purpose, also the raccoon must be weak of hunger and thirst. Just be careful they can be very viscous if feeling threatened. Poor little thing.Are you far from the dumpster? It must have fallen in.If you live close even an old ladder will do.

[chiroptera]

Originally Posted by Almrausch

Looks like somebody removed your board on purpose, also the raccoon must be weak of hunger and thirst. Just be careful they can be very viscous if feeling threatened. Poor little thing.Are you far from the dumpster? It must have fallen in.If you live close even an old ladder will do.

About a mile away...it's a county park/lake where I often take my dogs for a run. It's usually pretty empty, I don't know why the plywood was gone. I guess someone must've needed some plywood...I'd picked it up off a scrapheap behind one of the picnic pavilions.

I've loaded a bunch of old boards into my truck. A gallon water jug with part cut off and a length of rope so I can lower it down. And some cat food (the good stuff grain free.) And an apple. And whatever else I can find in my fridge to drop down near the poor 'coon.

Yeah no way am I climbing down there! I have a friend who was until recently a licensed wildlife rehabber...if this or a trap doesn't work, then she has a catchpole and kevlar gloves. But I hope it doesn't come to that; I'd prefer the poor thing get out on its own.

[Almrausch]

Originally Posted by chiroptera

About a mile away...it's a county park/lake where I often take my dogs for a run. It's usually pretty empty, I don't know why the plywood was gone. I guess someone must've needed some plywood...I'd picked it up off a scrapheap behind one of the picnic pavilions.

I've loaded a bunch of old boards into my truck. A gallon water jug with part cut off and a length of rope so I can lower it down. And some cat food (the good stuff grain free.) And an apple. And whatever else I can find in my fridge to drop down near the poor 'coon.

Yeah no way am I climbing down there! I have a friend who was until recently a licensed wildlife rehabber...if this or a trap doesn't work, then she has a catchpole and kevlar gloves. But I hope it doesn't come to that; I'd prefer the poor thing get out on its own.

You have a heart of gold and the raccoon will feel you try to safe it. I hope he recovers . Your plan sounds good and I wish you good luck

[chiroptera]

Thank you Almrausch. I'm heading back over there in a bit and will check in the morning on my way to work! Maybe if it gets some food and water it will get enough strength to climb out. I'll feel terrible if I find it dead in there.

[Almrausch]

Originally Posted by chiroptera

Thank you Almrausch. I'm heading back over there in a bit and will check in the morning on my way to work! Maybe if it gets some food and water it will get enough strength to climb out. I'll feel terrible if I find it dead in there.

Keep me posted I would love to hear from you!