An Extraordinary Raccoon, Procyon lotor; Density at an Urban Park

Authors

Henry T. Smith, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Park ServiceFollow
Richard M. Engeman, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife ServicesFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

February 2002

Comments

Published by THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST.

Abstract

We report on a high density Raccoon (Procyon lotor) population at a 70.9 ha urban park in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where in a five-day period 160 raccoons/km², and is one of the densest Raccoon populations reported. We discuss the ramifications of high density urban Raccoon populations relative to wildlife disease contagions and endangered species protection.