Rabid Raccoon(s) in the Wissahickon

[sometimesilie]

A woman was apparently bitten by a rabid raccoon Wednesday morning, near Blue Bell hill (Walnut Lane bridge) area of the Wissahickon. There are supposed to be signs posted warning visitors and Parks and Rec as well as Fairmount Rangers are "working on it". Be careful!

[Polar Cub]

Another person was attacked by one last week near Valley Green.

[Mt. Airy Brewer]

Quit feeding the animals in the park and this would be a non-issue.

[Neb]

I've never once seen anyone feed a raccoon in Philadelphia. Do people really do that? Those things are huge and pretty nasty looking. Honestly, the few times I've seen one it's scared the crap out of me. I can't imagine approaching it and offering it food.

[the mule]

If you see a raccoon during the day, steer clear. If you see one at night that doesn't flee from you, steer clear. A healthy raccoon won't give you the opportunity to approach it - it will run away, those with rabies won't.

[sometimesilie]

There's so much trash left out in the city I always assumed the racoons did just fine without needing to be fed. It blows my mind that people would actually feed them.

[Gladys]

City raccoons are like the hawks, fearless. The fact that there is an outbreak of rabies in the city is appalling. Thirdworldadelphia?

they also usually travel in packs you don't always see, so if there si one there are bound to be others and they will also attack in packs. The above advice is right on, if they don't run when you see them stay the **** away.

God i hope that woman is ok. Maybe we should start getting rabies vaccinations along with our dogs.

[Sycamore]

How does feeding racoons give them rabies?

[Sycamore]

City raccoons are like the hawks, fearless. The fact that there is an outbreak of rabies in the city is appalling. Thirdworldadelphia?

they also usually travel in packs you don't always see, so if there si one there are bound to be others and they will also attack in packs. The above advice is right on, if they don't run when you see them stay the **** away.

God i hope that woman is ok. Maybe we should start getting rabies vaccinations along with our dogs.

One case is not an outbreak. Neither hawks nor racoons are fearless. They don't attack in packs. You're overreacting.

[seand]

How does feeding racoons give them rabies?

Well you have to get them close to you and then you bite them . . .
Assuming you are rabid.

Urban raccons can be pretty ****ing fierce. They acclimatize to our surroundings like rats and stop fearing humans at all.

[Eastcoast]

Settle down.

All you need are some very thick leather gloves and an extremely large slingshot.

You might have a homegrown solution to the rogue ATV hoards.

[Gladys]

One case is not an outbreak. Neither hawks nor racoons are fearless. They don't attack in packs. You're overreacting.

Urban raccoons and hawks are used to people and will attack for food while people are around. In the country they don't do that, it's a behavior that has been quite documented.

Raccoons do travel and attack in packs usually.

Let me clarify. They attack in packs and urban are not afraid of people.

I grew up in the country, lots of raccoons, they never bothered me and the worst that happened was if you were silly enough not to bungee chord your trash can they had a feast. However city raccoons are an entirely different animal.

In the country they act much differently unless they have rabies.

The combination of rabies and urban raccoons is nothing to sneeze at. It's serious and should be taken that way. One attack - ok. two?

when would you like to be concerned? three?

***********************

Pack of raccoons mauls 74-year-old woman - US news - Life - msnbc.com

Raccoons attack woman walking her dog - UPI.com

Pack of Raccoons attack Woman and her dog*|*Nuisance News

Vicious raccoons kill 10 cats, attack dogs and people - English pravda.ru

News » Hotspots and Incidents
Vicious raccoons kill 10 cats, attack dogs and people
22.08.2006 | Source:
Pravda.Ru


Residents of Olympia, Washington, are deeply frightened. A fierce group of raccoons has killed 10 of their cats, tried to drag away a small dog and bitten at least one pet owner who had to get rabies shots.

"It's a new breed," said Tamara Keeton, who with Kari Hall started a raccoon watch after an emotional neighborhood meeting drew 40 people. "They're urban raccoons, and they're not afraid."

Tony Benjamins, whose family lost two cats, said he got a big dog - a German Shepherd-Rottweiler mix - to keep the raccoons away.

Raccoons

The enemies of raccoons are people, pumas and jaguars. Most raccoons live until they are six years old.
This is a smart animal. Scientists say that raccoons are as smart as primates. They use their paws to tell what something is, just like we use our hands.

City Raccoon - Urban Raccoon Control

The raccoon in this photograph was right at home living in an apartment building. Raccoons in many areas have simply lost their fear of people. They are very strong and can defend themselves, even against big dogs, and there's just no hunters or fur trappers round yon parts any more, so raccoons now stroll the city streets with impunity. The one in this apartment wasn't afraid of people. However, people were afraid of it. They could have been attacked at any time - not likely - but the apartment complex didn't want to take a chance. And people were afraid that it had rabies. It didn't but people are often misinformed about wildlife.

viscous racoons?

Question: With all of the talk about vicious raccoons in the area, would you please give us more background information?

Answer: The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is an animal that most people are familiar with. Raccoons are found throughout the United States, the southern portion of Canada, and throughout Mexico and Central America. These animals are adaptable and thrive in all kinds of habitats from the desert to tropical forests and northern hardwood forests. Raccoons do especially well in urban areas. As Southwest Florida develops into more of an urban environment, the number of raccoons is likely to increase rather than decrease. Urbanization and agriculture help raccoon populations increase because food is more readily available. Therefore, it is common to encounter raccoons near your home.

Recent attacks have sparked much interest. It is necessary to be able to identify the animal and understand its behavior in order to avoid contact. Most of us can identify a raccoon, but for visitors that cannot, a raccoon is a small animal that is 2 to 3 feet long, heavily furred, with a prominent black mask and a ringed tail. In Florida, raccoons are smaller than those found further north. Their color is a grizzled salt-and-pepper gray and black. Raccoons are most active from the evening hours until morning, however they can be seen moving around during the day.

Individual raccoons have a home range of one to three square miles and are territorial. If seen in groups, it is either a mother with her young or unassociated adults brought together by one large food source. Raccoon densities of 100 per square mile can be attained if food sources are abundant. Raccoons are classified as carnivores, but they eat plants, fruits, acorns, vegetables, and seeds. They will also eat eggs, insects, crayfish, frogs, fish, and other small mammals. Raccoons will eat dead animals, raid bird feeders, and steal food from pet bowls and garbage cans when they can. Raccoons are not fussy about living quarters. If hollowed out limbs of trees are unavailable, they will choose rock cavities, debris piles, crawl spaces below homes, attics, culverts, and sewer drains.

Raccoons start breeding after one year. In Florida, the annual litter usually occurs in March or April. Many of the females are pregnant at this time of year and may be more aggressive. Each litter consists of about 4 young that may remain with the mother for ten months. Raccoons have few enemies. People, especially in their automobiles, are the biggest threat. Keep in mind that under most conditions, raccoons are harmless, interesting neighbors.

The problems occur when raccoons find food or shelter in or around your home. Prevent feeding from taking place. Never put out food for the raccoons, take in pet food at night and secure garbage can lids. If you have vegetable crops growing in your garden, an electric fence will help keep raccoons out without harming them. Mothballs and other smell tactics will not work. Make sure you seal openings in and around your home as they occur to keep raccoons from taking up residence in your house or under a deck. However, if this does happen, DO NOT chase them away. Once you have a raccoon sharing your home, sealing the entrance will only make the raccoon force its way back in, and cause more damage. A licensed wildlife trapper can remove the animal. It is illegal to trap and release an animal in another location without a permit.

Raccoons should be more afraid of people than we are of raccoons. However, in light of recent attacks, if you see a raccoon, make loud noises while moving erratically. If the raccoon does not run away, you should!

[Sycamore]

Your neighbors are much more dangerous. And, I've lived in the city for years without being mauled. I still dont think undergoing rabies shots as a preventative is logical considering the risk is so phenomenally low.

[Gladys]

Your neighbors are much more dangerous. And, I've lived in the city for years without being mauled. I still dont think undergoing rabies shots as a preventative is logical considering the risk is so phenomenally low.

that was a sarcastic statement. I do not think we all need rabies shots now.

Yeah neighbors can be more dangerous for sure. Or your house mates. I hear now a house mate decided to eat another's heart out, literally. Oh and brains. Can't forget those.

Who ever posted about using the raccoons to solve the ATV problem... I can see it now.. Rabid atv zombies. Nice. To whom do i pitch the movie?

[Longboat]

Maybe it's time we reinstall the fear of humans in these critters. I hear the make fine hats.

[Mt. Airy Brewer]

I've never once seen anyone feed a raccoon in Philadelphia. Do people really do that? Those things are huge and pretty nasty looking. Honestly, the few times I've seen one it's scared the crap out of me. I can't imagine approaching it and offering it food.

The last two times I've been on Forbidden Drive, there are kids feeding geese and squirrels. Racoons could be next.

[Neb]

The last two times I've been on Forbidden Drive, there are kids feeding geese and squirrels. Racoons could be next.

Ah yes, the slippery slope of wild animal feeding. I've heard about that.

[19147]

your neighbors are much more dangerous. And, i've lived in the city for years without being mauled. I still dont think undergoing rabies shots as a preventative is logical considering the risk is so phenomenally low.

stop feeding your neighbors!