Tens of thousands of raccoons live in Kassel, a city of 200,000 people in central Germany known for its art scene. Overall, there are an estimated 1.5 million raccoons in Germany. The omnivorous mammals are native to North America, but they were brought to Germany in the 1930s for fur farming. Fur farming ultimately ceased but escaping animals and intentional releases ultimately led to a large wild population of raccoons in the years afterward.
Raccoons have gradually made their way across Europe with animals spotted in France, Denmark, Poland, Italy, Austria, and elsewhere.
The people of Kassel have embraced raccoons. In fact, the place is often called the raccoon city. Several sports teams are named after the animals. Many people feed them, and they are pretty much everywhere. On the other hand, residents have to lock up their trash receptacles and they have to check under their cars before driving places.
Since 2016, the EU has classified racoons as an invasive species because of the threat they pose to native wildlife. There are no equivalent species like them in Europe. So, they are a threat to ground-nesting birds, bats in caves, amphibians, and more. They are able to eat almost anything.
What to do about raccoons in Europe is unclear. Despite their popularity in Germany, 200,000 raccoons were culled last year. But raccoon supporters argue that minks, which are native to Europe, and especially cats, are responsible for much of the pressure on species racoons are accused of consuming. Meanwhile, Kassel citizens continue to enjoy their raccoons.
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Rampaging raccoons: how the American mammals took over a German city – and are heading across Europe
Photo, posted December 20, 2016, courtesy of Big Cypress National Preserve via Flickr.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio
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