The story begins in 1934, when a breeder asked the Reich Forestry Office, then led by future top Hitler aide Hermann Göring, for permission to release the masked-faced mammals to "enrich the local fauna" outside Kassel, a small city north of Frankfurt. "What we rather advise people to do is to invest in effective strategies to protect their homes, like trimming tree branches that stretch near the roof and covering drainpipes to prevent racoons from climbing along them," he added. Raccoons carry rabies. Raccoons are found in North and Central America, Europe and Japan. And because raccoons forage over distances up 1 to 10 miles (1.6 to 16 km) every night, any raccoon you get rid of is often replaced by another. How & Why to Get Rid of Raccoons. Although raccoons had become rare in the 1930s, at least … If a home is elevated, with a crawl space underneath, and there’s an easy opening, it’s an open invitation for raccoons, cats, opossums, and other … (CNN) Up a tree, onto the roof, and through the ceiling. I used loud music but they seem to be deaf. 22 - 26 kg Life expectancy:average 5 years he wailed. Since its introduction in Europe, the common raccoon can now be found throughout continental Europe, most notably in Germany and France. One of the natural instincts which raccoons have is climbing with the help of their paws and limbs. To fight back, Germans are currently killing more than 60,000 raccoons a year (one important weapon is chocolate-baited traps). Age: Typically, raccoons live only about two to three years in the wild because of disease, lack of food, predation, human intervention etc. Grey squirrels (Scirius caroliniensis) are native to North America and were first released in the UK in 1876 in Henbury Park, Cheshire. But unfortunately for the denizens of a growing number of European capitals, they like cities. Now considered an invasive species, the raccoon … Meanwhile, distressed German home owners will have to pioneer ways of keeping this furry menace at bay. But then came the pungent smell, followed by the racket in the attic at night. Warming could allow raccoons to spread north into fragile boreal forests. Raccoon footprints, what are raccoon sounds, raccoon paw-print. Hundreds of thousands have fanned out to Belgium, Luxembourg, the Czech Republic and France. Hohmann says that in the coming years, raccoons are expected to spread to even more European cities. Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA. About Raccoons . I’ve seen raccoons living in the crawlspace under a house many times. However, when raccoons approach or enter your home or are too close for comfort, please do not approach them. They are leaving their natural habitat near German streams and lakes in their droves to make a home in towns and cities, where food, water and shelter are easy to find. For Becker, who is also a lumber and Christmas tree salesman, selling defenses against the pests has become a lucrative business. Make sure to sprinkle this oil in and around your premises. Raccoons have been introduced to parts of Europe and Asia because of humans. "Raccoon pelts were a popular trophy for hunters back then," biologist Ulf Hohmann said. Traditionally, raccoons prefer heavily wooded areas with access to trees, water and abundant vegetation. Scientific Name: Procyon lotor Average weight: 5 - 12 kg, max. Raccoons spreads dangerous diseases as they invade Europe, Spanish researchers find Date: August 28, 2012 Source: Plataforma SINC Summary: Furry, … Other caniforms are bears, skunks, seals, otters and weasels. Originally from the Far East, raccoon dogs were introduced into eastern Europe as part the fur trade. "They were also raised for their fur at special farms" after they were imported from North America early last century. Recently, raccoons have emerged in parts of Europe and Japan. Raccoons seldom attack humans, but will sometimes “threaten” them by grunting or growling. The desperate Damm tried everything to eject his striped tailed guests from his well-appointed Lindenhof hotel. Two raccoons break into a bank in Redwood City, California. The study found that where people resort to killing racoons, the animals tend to compensate by reproducing more. Traditionally hunted for their precious fur in their native USA and Canada, racoon pelts became popular in Europe at the beginning of last century. The raccoon is a half-bear native to North America. Unanswered Questions. Raccoons have used this newer skill to enter swimming pools and streams. Although a brutal practice on the face of it, many in Kassel have come to see raccoons as the enemy after too many of the pesky omnivores turned their attics into latrines, feasted on their insulation and ripped their plush lawns to shreds in the search for worms. Turns out, very smart. Raccoons are omnivores. The furry animals, with their characteristic striped tail and little black mask, are not afraid of humans. The tea tree oil imparts a bitter taste and fragrance that is majorly irritating for the raccoons. The first raccoons were exported to Europe in the 1920s to stock fur farms.By way of an accidental bombing and some bored farmers just wanting to spice up the local wildlife, many raccoons … The paws and limbs are designed for scrambling up surfaces. Mr Hohmann said that racoons have already crossed into most neighbouring countries and will eventually spread to the whole of Europe. They're actually American but feel right at home in Kassel, Germany, which has become the European raccoon capital since the animals were introduced here under the Third Reich. Getting rid of raccoons requires … Thursday, 17 October, 2002, 15:45 GMT 16:45 UK, ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------, Society for Wildlife Ecology and Nature Conservation. Raccoons may still persist there, but other introductions of raccoons, like those released on Japonski Island near Sitka in 1950, did not seem to stick. Raccoons are opportunistic carnivores native to North America. Contact Since their introduction during the Third Reich, raccoons can trace their gradual conquest of Europe back to two other moments in history. They are handsome in appearance and can even seem cute, but they are hateful rascals. ONE LIVED IN THE WHITE HOUSE. As soon as they snap shut, Becker packs up the animal, takes it to the woods and fires a single shot -- a ritual he completes up to 40 times per year. Raccoon habitats range from North and Central America to places in Europe and Japan, and although raccoons come from the wild, this species has grown accustomed to the human city life as well. Unusually strong and agile, they jump onto roofs from tree tops and climb along drainpipes. Raccoons are wild animals and some people may find it hard to disturb them in their natural habitat. Raccoons were once thought to be related to bears. Many parts of the USA and Europe are home to raccoons, but if you are not familiar with these unique animals allow me to explain. 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