Keeping our Community and Wildlife Safe- Animal Series Raccoons
Did you know?
With fall soon approaching, we are reminded that many of our Strata wildlife creatures, in particular Raccoons will soon be seeking out much needed food in preparation for and/or to survive winter. It is a time to increase our awareness that they along with ourselves share living within our beautiful natural environment. Understanding some key information provided by WildSafe BC and reminders from your Strata GGC can help to ensure a safe community co-existence. Here are some interesting facts you might find of interest.
Interesting General Facts:
- are opportunistic omnivores, feeding on an extremely varied diet and continually exploring their habitat to exploit new food sources. Highly adaptable, can thrive in the densest of urban centers.
- can cause significant damage to gardens, buildings, crops, and livestock in their search for food and denning sites.
- Food-conditioned and human-habituated raccoons become bolder around humans and can even cause injury.
- can carry a roundworm parasite that is potentially dangerous to humans and care should be taken in dealing with feces left by raccoons.
- have the potential to carry rabies, but there have been no cases of rabies found in raccoons in B.C.
- are protected under the B.C. Wildlife Act.
- trapping and relocating raccoons without a permit is allowed if they are causing damage on a person’s property however WildSafeBC recommends exploring other options and if removal is necessary, consider contacting a qualified pest management contractor.
- they are excellent swimmers and very capable tree climbers.
- like bears, raccoons in much of their Canadian range have a winter denning period where they sleep away the harsh winter months.
- Raccoons that dig up lawns to eat grubs may actually be helping to remove invasive European Chafer beetle.
- can become aggressive towards humans if cornered or handled.
- if four raccoons are seen as a group this is indicating all males.
While raccoon confrontations have been rare within our Strata Community we are aware of “numerous”sightings. Here are a few things advised by WildLife BC and your Strata GGC that can help to “Avoid Raccoon Interactions”:
- If approached by a raccoon, scare it away by yelling, clapping, or making noise.
- Keep small pets inside, especially at night. Cats and small dogs can be seriously injured or even killed in conflicts with raccoons.
- feed your pets indoors. If you must leave food outside, only put out what they can immediately consume and bring dirty dishs inside.
- Never attempt to approach a raccoon. Like all wildlife, raccoons act aggressively if threatened.
- Raccoon latrines are often found at the base of trees, on logs, rocks, woodpiles, patios and “even attics or garages.”
- To report raccoons showing unusual or aggressive behaviour, call the Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.
- To learn more, go to: https://wildsafebc.com/species/raccoon/
“A little awareness can go a long way in keeping our community and our wildlife neighbours safe”
Thank you from your Grounds and Communication Committee
