Management Of Raccoons Research Articles

CONTRASTING ACTIVITY TIMES BETWEEN RACCOONS (PROCYON LOTOR) AND VIRGINIA OPOSSUMS (DIDELPHIS VIRGINIANA) IN URBAN GREEN SPACES

As urbanization increases, impacts on urban wildlife behavior are becoming more apparent. Using camera traps, we compared activity times of Raccoons (Procyon lotor) with those of Virginia Opossums (Didelphis virginiana) in natural areas of Seattle, Washington. Previous studies found that Virginia Opossums and Raccoons are significantly more active at night than at any other time. However, these studies occurred exclusively in forested or agricultural landscapes. We deployed motion-triggered camera traps in greenspaces of Seattle to test the hypothesis that Raccoons and Virginia Opossums are both primarily active at night in an urban environment. Our results demonstrated a statistically significant difference in activity time distributions between the species. Virginia Opossums were exclusively nocturnal, whereas Raccoons allocated their activity between nocturnal and crepuscular periods. This study provides a snapshot of mesopredator behavior in an environment heavily influenced by humans and informs the effective management of Raccoons in urban areas.

Invasive raccoon management systems and challenges in regions with active control

BackgroundThe raccoon (Procyon lotor) is an invasive, non-native species in Japan. Throughout the country, it causes significant agricultural damage and negatively affects native biodiversity. Most of the responsibility for raccoon management lies with local government, and there are still many challenges to be overcome. Although raccoon populations have not been eradicated, intensive control campaigns such as focus on the early stages of invasion have controlled raccoons in some regions. To improve the national management of raccoons, we conducted a survey on raccoon management systems in local government departments considered to solve the challenges recognized in many areas. During 2014 and 2015, we surveyed three different municipal departments about raccoon management measures. The semi-structured interview survey covered two topics: (1) the situation leading up to the current management system; (2) the current management system.ResultsOur results describe the scope and methods used in raccoon management. The government staff managed raccoons using monitoring, employing a variety of methods, a range of budgets, and various role divisions. The management practices are similar in that they share a sense of taking precautions, collaborating with stakeholders, understanding that adequate methods must be used, and obtaining support from experts.ConclusionsOur case studies reveal the challenges in raccoon management faced by local government officers in regions with active control. The management systems and methods that we surveyed seemed to be effective in solving problems in both developed and undeveloped areas.

Challenges in managing invasive raccoons in Japan

Context In Japan, the raccoon is an invasive, non-native mammal that causes significant agricultural damage and impacts on native biodiversity throughout the country. Local governments are mainly responsible for raccoon management. Intensive control campaigns focused on the early invasion stage have controlled raccoons in some regions but, generally, there are very few regions where raccoon numbers have been reduced sustainably, and no raccoon populations have been eradicated. Aims To improve national management of raccoons and canvass the opinions and perceptions of local government officers involved in raccoon control, and to review the efficiency and effectiveness of raccoon management strategies. Methods A questionnaire survey of 47 prefectural and 366 municipal governments was conducted, regarding raccoon management measures, during 2012 and 2013. The survey covered two topics: (1) management difficulties experienced by officers; and (2) details of the current raccoon management regime. Key results Efforts to manage raccoon populations have encountered some difficulties, including shortages of raccoon control officers, funding, expertise in raccoon biology and management, and lack of information about the invasion status of local raccoon populations and ecological traits of raccoons. Prefectures not currently managing raccoons indicated that they suffered from a lack of appropriate management procedures. However, current management programs were not generally functioning efficiently or effectively because many local governments did not implement appropriate monitoring. About 70% of local governments did not set control target indices, and there were very few quantitative datasets that could be used to measure the effectiveness of control in reducing raccoon impacts. Conclusions Best practice management programs have been being implemented in very few government areas, with institutional characteristics and difficulties in obtaining relevant information causing major problems. Implications Collecting and sharing information about effective raccoon management methods and case study examples from successful regions would enable other local administrations to select and implement the most effective and efficient control strategy, methods and monitoring program for their region.

Elucidation of population connectivity in synanthropic mesopredators: Using genes to define relevant spatial scales for management of raccoons and Virginia opossums

Raccoons (Procyon lotor) and Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) are highly abundant, synanthropic mesocarnivores that can transmit epizootic diseases of critical importance to human and livestock health such as rabies and tuberculosis. Individuals of both species can exhibit large dispersal distances and our understanding of population connectivity for both of these species is limited. Data on population connectivity and potential for disease transmission are needed for each of these species for the development of data-informed management, control, and vaccination programs. Genetic connectivity among populations can be estimated by evaluation of metrics such as of isolation by distance (IBD) signatures and population structure. Such metrics are influenced not only by geographic distance and barriers to dispersal but also by the life-history characteristics of the species in question. We investigated the scale at which these species exhibited evidence of connectivity via gene flow, using samples collected from 9 sites spanning 254 km across north-central, west-central, south-central, and southern Indiana, USA. We evaluated genetic connectivity and signatures of IBD using Bayesian clustering analyses and matrix correlation methods. In the Bayesian model, raccoons were assigned to 3 genetic clusters, whereas Virginia opossums exhibited apparent panmixia. Spatial autocorrelation results indicated a significant positive correlation between genetic and geographic distance for raccoons at distances up to 25 km and for Virginia opossums up to 4 km. Interspecific differences in reproductive biology, social behavior, and dispersal are likely the causes for differences between these 2 species in the spatial partitioning of populations across broad ranges. In addition, geographic features and past glaciation events may be affecting the genetic characteristics of present-day raccoon populations. Improved information regarding interpopulation distance for these 2 synanthropic species may contribute to more effective management and disease-control programs. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.

Spillover benefits of wildlife management to support pheasant populations

Abstract Ring‐necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) and other upland game populations in Wyoming, USA, have been declining due to changes in agricultural practices, urban development, and predation. Raccoons (Procyon lotor) have been implicated as one of the main predators of pheasant nests. Management of raccoons to support pheasant populations has the direct benefit of increasing pheasant populations and additional spillover benefits to corn producers in the region may occur. We conducted a field study in southeastern Wyoming from July to October 2009 to estimate the increase in corn yield associated with raccoon trapping. Although the primary purpose of the raccoon trapping was the support of upland game bird populations, the added benefit of increased revenue for corn producers is an important consideration. We tracked corn damage in 10 study plots over 6 weeks and estimated that trapping raccoons yields a revenue increase of US$10.75/ha. This type of spillover benefit is rarely considered when raccoon management decisions are made but is significant and should be included in any explicit or implicit benefit–cost analysis of the management action. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.

Factor Influencing Public Preference for Raccoon Eradication Plan in Kanagawa, Japan

Efforts to eradicate Invasive Alien Species (IAS) often become controversial, yet public support is essential for the success of eradication projects. Issues regarding IAS often require immediate action, but information about public attitudes toward and support for IAS management in Japan is lacking. This study examined public preferences for eradication of raccoons (Procyon lotor) (classified as an IAS in Japan) and identified factors affecting preference. Data were obtained from residents of Kanagawa prefecture in Japan via a Web survey. Logistic regression models revealed that preference for eradication of raccoons was relatively low (31%), and that the public lacked knowledge regarding raccoon management. Attitudes toward raccoons, attitudes toward damage, knowledge of raccoon issues, age, gender, and duration of residence were predictors of public preference for eradication. Preference for eradication was not related to having seen the once popular “Raccoon Rascal” cartoon.

Toward fundamental management of invasive raccoons

Toward fundamental management of invasive raccoons

Management of raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Ontario, Canada: Do human intervention and disease have significant impact on raccoon populations ?

Avec une grande expansion de la zone d'elevage au cours du XX e siecle, les ratons-laveurs sont devenus une des especes les plus prolifiques d'animaux a fourrure qui vivent en Amerique du Nord aujourd'hui. La population des ratons-laveurs n'est pas en danger, mais avec la chasse et les nombreux pieges, les collisions avec les vehicules, les maladies infectieuses comme la rage et la maladie de Carre du chien, et le ramassage par les agents de controle animal, les ratons-laveurs ont un taux de mortalite eleve chaque annee. Dans certaines regions les ratons laveurs sont si nombreux que leur densite est de plus de 100 au km 2 , La population des ratons-laveurs en Ontario est estimee a 1 million. Cette population elevee est responsable d'un grand nombre de conflits « homme/raton-laveur », a propos de la destruction des jardins ornementaux et des recoltes, la degradation des edifices residentiels et la transmission de maladies infectieuses. La gestion des ratons-laveurs en Ontario est accomplie selon les reglements agricoles, par enlevement et euthanasie par les agents municipaux de controle animal, les strategies de l'education publique, et la creation d'une zone tampon de ratons-laveurs immunises pour le controle des maladies infectieuses. Ni la maladie ni l'intervention humaine n'ont eu d'effet significatif sur la population des ratons-laveurs en Ontario. La maladie de Carre peut causer des mortalites elevees dans la population des ratons-laveurs mais leur densite s'est maintenue de 7 a 20 par km 2 durant ces epidemies. Avec l'enlevement des animaux nuisibles, le service du controle animal de l'Ontario a reduit la population des ratons-laveurs de 12 % a 29 %, mais il n'y a pas eu d'impact durable sur la population etudiee. Le succes et la resistance des ratons-laveurs en Ontario et dans les autres regions de l'Amerique du Nord est attribuable a leur aptitude a s'adapter a la plupart des habitats, a leurs habitudes omnivores, leur fort taux de reproduction et l'absence de predateurs naturels.

The Buying of Den Trees for Raccoon Management

The Buying of Den Trees for Raccoon Management