TUCKERTON, N.J. (AP) — A chubby raccoon that got its head stuck in a knot in a tree in southern New Jersey is free.

A Tuckerton resident called for help after seeing the animal flailing around in the tree on Monday.

Assistant Fire Chief Lee Eggert tells the Asbury Park Press the raccoon had been clawing at the tree for a while.

A retired state conservation officer joined firefighters and used a chisel to make the hole bigger for the raccoon's head.

The animal scampered away with no apparent injuries.

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Information from: Asbury Park (N.J.) Press, http://www.app.com