The animal escaped its rescuers and fell into the water, where it was rescued again.

SARASOTA -- A raccoon that became stranded on a channel marker in Sarasota Bay was rescued Wednesday, the Sarasota Police Department reports.

According to police, Mote Marine Laboratory reported the stranded animal to the SPD's Marine Patrol at about noon. Police, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Mote and Londboat Key police responded.

Video released by SPD shows officers capturing the raccoon on the channel marker. It then appears that the animal struggled with its rescuers, fell into the bay and swam away. The raccoon must have become tired of swimming, because it climbed onto the stern of the rescue boat and was captured again.

It was placed into a cooler and released on land.

According to FWC, raccoons are among the most intelligent of Florida wildlife. They are beneficial, helping to control populations of rodents and insects. Never feed them, the state says, warning that intentionally feeding raccoons is illegal.