An extraordinary Raccoon, Procyon lotor, density at an urban park

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 5-day period 160 raccoons were removed and 9 others observed without capture. This represents a minimum density of 238 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.