First it was Japan and Korea, now it’s Scotland: North American’s insidious plan to take over the world includes some cute yet quite destructive invaders. They are coming for your trash! Cameo: Climate change (OF COURSE)
Scotland, part of the United Kingdom, is worried that, within the next decade, a sufficient number of raccoons, intentionally released or escaped from captivity, may establish themselves in the wild and thrive. While these creatures may appear cute, ecologists have cautioned that their arrival could have detrimental effects to the econsystem. Raccoons, once established, could damage crops like soft fruits and pose a threat to vulnerable species, including seabirds. Additionally, they can carry rabies, which is potentially fatal to humans.
In October, the Scottish government’s wildlife agency, NatureScot, designated raccoons as a ‘priority’ non-native species expected to become more common in the next decade. These animals, originally from our own US, have rapidly expanded in other countries. Germany, for instance, introduced a small number in the 1930s, leading to a population of up to a million, mostly beer-drunk raccoons. According to NatureScot, climate change may further facilitate their spread.
While only a few raccoons have been observed in Scotland in the last decade, their adaptability and reproductive capacity are a cause for concern. After all, it’s a creature as agile as a cat and as bold as a dog.
