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July 11 (UPI) — A Vermont couple was caught off guard during a boat outing when they discovered two raccoons hiding beneath the seats.
Steve and Shannon Lipkin, residents of Burlington, were enjoying a leisurely day on Lake Champlain when they noticed the unexpected passengers after being stationary for approximately two hours.
“That’s when I saw the raccoons and the chaos and pandemonium began,” recalled Shannon Lipkin, as reported by WCAX-TV.
Steve Lipkin initially panicked upon discovering the raccoons.
“My first reaction was to jump overboard,” he admitted.
Instead of jumping into the water, the Lipkins devised a plan to use cushions as a barrier and made their way back to the shore.
“We did the best we could. I’m a compassionate animal lover, so the thought of these raccoons in the middle of the lake horrified me,” shared Shannon Lipkin.
Surprisingly, the raccoons seemed to enjoy the boat ride.
“They were leaning out of the boat, reveling in the wind and the journey,” Steve Lipkin described.
Once the boat reached the shore, all four passengers safely disembarked.
“They showed no intention of causing harm, and we didn’t want to harm them either, so everyone made it off the boat unharmed,” reassured Shannon Lipkin.
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department cautions humans to avoid raccoon encounters due to the potential transmission of diseases carried by these animals, including rabies, especially in the northeastern region.
“The spread of rabies is a significant concern in the northeast, which heightens the risk of transmission to humans,” advises the department’s website.
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