Following a weeklong trek across the Atlantic trapped in a crate on a ship, things didn't get any better for Rocky the Raccoon when he reached Bermuda.

The juvenile creature was put to sleep after it was decided he could neither be sent back to the US nor found a new home in Bermuda Zoo.

Rocky was discovered at Bermuda Air Conditioning (BAC) in Mill's Creek, Pembroke, on Tuesday, as warehouse workers unloaded the shipment from Baltimore.

He was captured yesterday, and mid-afternoon an Environment spokesman announced he would be killed in a humane manner. Minutes later the spokesman e-mailed to say Rocky had already been put down with a tranquilliser followed by euthanasia solution.

"The techniques used brought about very little anxiety or discomfort for the animal — nothing more than a needle prick. It was most important to not put the handlers at risk of being bitten," he said.

Explaining why there was no alternative, the spokesman said: "Although we have had private individuals inquire about repatriating the animal to the USA, this is an unlikely option.

"Now that the raccoon is outside of the USA, repatriation will involve US Customs and Border Protection and the US Department of Agriculture and it is unclear whether an animal with an unknown history would be allowed entry and released among other wildlife.

"The Bermuda Zoo is not a viable option for receiving the raccoon, as the animal would have to undergo a prolonged quarantine, during which time the zoo staff would be put at risk daily as they attend to the animal.

"Furthermore, we must examine how the raccoon will fit into the display plans of the zoo.

"It would be unwise to extend the limited resources of the Aquarium and Zoo into an animal that will not fit into their display and educational programmes. Thus for the protection of all of Bermuda, it is best to put the animal to sleep in a humane manner."

It is unclear how the mammal, native to North America, got into the crate which left the US on Wednesday or Thursday of last week. Dr. Andrew Madeiros, chairman of the SPCA, said: "Raccoons are very difficult to handle and are very aggressive. They're certainly not endangered and are considered to be a pest and a nuisance. Shipping it back was not an option.

"There would be all sorts of rules and regulations about bringing it in. Raccoons carry rabies and distemper and can harbour rabies with no way of anyone knowing.

"Zoos are very careful about the animals they take in regarding their health. To be honest, this is like somebody catching a rat in their backyard and wanting the aquarium to take it.

"If this happened in the States we could drive it out into the country but here I'm not sure if we have a facility interested in having it."

The raccoon was found by warehouse assistant Brandon Rogers on Tuesday lunchtime.

As he waited for the animal to be dealt with so he could get on with his work yesterday, he told The Royal Gazette: "I was waiting for the forklift to come back when I saw his head pop up like he was seeing what the environment was like. I said 'what's that!'. I thought it's either going to be a raccoon or a squirrel. When I looked I saw the raccoon. I said 'oh dear' and closed it up, and called the SPCA."

Mr. Rogers, 54, from St. George's Parish, added: "It looked a little frightened and was about a foot or foot-and-a-half long. "I've never in my life seen anything like it and I've been doing this all my life."