# @downinnadesert on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DdmVLNjGDB6
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/70864503-downinnadesert-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/66f64ec243.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-09-22T18:01:18.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Down In The Desert🌵 (@downinnadesert) — https://gondola.cc/downinnadesert

## Caption

Two Arizona troopers heard something coming from a dumpster in Lake Havasu City on Thursday, and it was not in the training manual.

The troopers were at the Western Arizona Law Enforcement Academy working with recruits on mock crash investigations out in the parking lot. Partway through, they started hearing scratching and whining from the dumpster nearby.

They looked inside and found three baby raccoons. Kits. They had climbed in and could not climb back out.

Recruits told the troopers the raccoons had likely been stuck in there since that morning’s physical training session, which could mean hours in a metal box with no food or water. It hit 109 degrees in Lake Havasu City that day, according to the National Weather Service.

One of the troopers grabbed a catchpole out of his patrol car and carefully lifted all three out.

DPS put out a statement thanking the troopers and saying they are committed to the safety of everyone in Arizona, even if they’re trash pandas.

If you ever come across trapped wildlife, the safest move is to call Arizona Game and Fish instead of reaching in yourself. Raccoons can carry rabies, even the small ones.

Everything above comes from the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

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#LakeHavasu #ArizonaDPS #MohaveCounty #ArizonaNews #DownInnaDesert

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 101
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## Tags

downinnadesert, arizonanews, arizonadps, lakehavasu, mohavecounty

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