Toronto raccoon appears to be distraught after ‘friend’gets hit by a car

Another Toronto racoon is making the rounds on social networks this week after it was filmed on a street attempting to help another racoon that was struck by a car - or so many online commenters believe.

Uploaded by YouTube user ‘A Ka’, the video description says the pair of raccoons were crossing the street together when one was suddenly struck by a car. In a panic, the able raccoon began running in circles and appeared to be crying, waiting for cars to go by.

Later in the video, the racoon appears to violently shake the body of his dead partner, perhaps in an attempt to revive his fallen friend. Or maybe not.

This wouldn’t be the first time Internet users misunderstood animal behaviour with a sympathetic eye. Just a few weeks ago, animal experts explained that a male kangaroo photographed making what appeared to be a loving gesture over the body of a deceased female was likely up to something far more nefarious.

In any case, there’s no denying that Toronto raccoons have a penchant for becoming viral sensations.

Last summer, photos of a memorial set-up for a dead raccoon caught the Internet’s attention, and even more recently we’ve seen another raccoon get on the subway for a free ride.