How would you feel if raccoons were introduced into the UK?
Posted by IDoNotLikeTheSand@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 40 comments
They were already introduced into Germany and Japan. Would you want them in the UK?
Thestolenone@reddit
Someone's pet raccoon escaped into the wild, this was in the early 80's near Compton Dundon in Somerset, a farmer shot it. I've seen them in petting zoos years ago, like the early 90's. We don't need them and I can't see any good coming from it.
Short_Bad_8637@reddit
Aren’t fox’s our version of raccoons? Kinda?
iiibehemothiii@reddit
I feel like foxes and raccoons would be good mates.
I sense the makings of a cop-buddy film :')
Short_Bad_8637@reddit
It’s nice to be hopeful but realistically they’re both little cunts
DumCrescoSpero@reddit
Foxes aren't little cunts.
Short_Bad_8637@reddit
They are….
DumCrescoSpero@reddit
Why?
Short_Bad_8637@reddit
We got a new turf fitted on the front garden last Friday. Completely revamped it, new grass, new plants etc etc. cost us no less than 3 grand. And come sunday morning i went out to water it all and there was a fox’s shite slap bang in centre of it.
You might ask how i know it was a fox’s, well i’ve had dog’s and cat’s in the past and know what their wastage (for want of a better word) looks like. What else could it be?
Sorry foxes but that’s it now you’ve started a war.
Theratchetnclank@reddit
It's just a shit. Pick it up and bin it.
DumCrescoSpero@reddit
Where is it supposed to shit after we've destroyed most of their natural habitat and paved over it with towns and housing?
hdhxuxufxufufiffif@reddit
The foxes round my way are scrawny enough as it is, I doubt they'd be mates with the little Burglar Bill-looking newcomer scavenging from the same wheelie bins.
Short_Bad_8637@reddit
Exactly my point hahahah. You put it brilliantly
Polz34@reddit
Think we've got enough animals of our own to deal with without adding raccoons. I live in the South West and so it's not unusual to see roadkill often on our country (and main) roads, why add to the body count?
FredH3663@reddit
our pine martins don't need the extra competition
FornyHucker22@reddit
Meh why not. Cute
girlsunderpressure@reddit
Livid. There is no good reason to introduce new vermin fauna to the UK.
Ok_Victory_2977@reddit
Hell no, they're incredibly invasive... Germany introduced them to supply their damn fur trade and then a fur farm got bombed in the war with hundreds of racoons escaping and now they're screwed. They didn't want them over there for any beneficial reasons and they have absolutely no predators, so they've had a lot of problems. We've already got enough struggles with a lot of our native wildlife, without introducing raccoons (however sweet they may look) - foxes with hands is a TERRIBLE idea, racoons can get into so many places foxes can't.
EasyCheesecake1@reddit
I like raccoons but no. With the introduction of food bins in my town the foxes and seagulls are already struggling to find enough food, raccoons, trash pandas, would just add to this.
antlered-god@reddit
Absolutely not. Total threat to our native species
Thats_my_nirnroot@reddit
I feel like our foxes would be the direct competitor?
Racoon ms are insanely cute, but I'd rather not introduce another invasive species..
balwick@reddit
But... why? We have foxes that fill their niche.
No thank you.
OnlymyOP@reddit
I don't believe Raccoons were ever naturally found in the UK, so there's nothing to necessitate this.
skibbin@reddit
Brit in the USA.
I have a local raccoon that lives in a tree in my garden. Whilst it's not exactly friendly, it's very chill and we cross paths frequently. Its tagged and vaccinated so no rabies risk so far as I know. Whilst it's a cute and novel I don't see the benefit, besides if I really needed something to occasionally rip my rubbish apart, which the UK already has foxes and seagulls for.
The real question is how you'd get rid of them if things didn't work out? Do you really want to kill something that cute?
puddle_minded_fool@reddit
We already have Wallabies and Parakeets living wild, so why not?
GeggingIn@reddit
The cuddly mink has settled in well.
MServices0@reddit
Honestly I’d be weirdly excited at first, like we finally get our own little chaotic outsiders turning every quiet British bin night into a wildlife crime scene. Then I imagine one staring at me through a foggy London window at 3am and I realise we just invited a tiny masked problem that knows exactly where we keep the food.
Ok_Gazelle_24@reddit
foxes. you're describing foxes.
Walletswiper@reddit
Why would you do that
laoxue@reddit
Not a fan of Cyril Sneer, if I'm being honest!
Timely_Egg_6827@reddit
They are illegal in UK exactly because of the damage they have done in Germany. Illegal to sell, import or breed but if existing pets, then allowed to die naturally.
hdhxuxufxufufiffif@reddit
One reason they thrive in Germany and Japan is that they have no natural predators. That would be the same in the UK, so it's a big no from me.
ButteredNun@reddit
Coming over ‘ere, stealing our badgers’ jobs!!
CasualGlam87@reddit
Raccoons have been banned as pets in the UK due to many escaping and the risk of them becoming the next invasive species. They are highly destructive and would be a massive threat to our already struggling wildlife.
GeggingIn@reddit
Confused.
Kapika96@reddit
Like there was a mad scientist running around. Why would any sane person do that?
Current_Mongoose_844@reddit
In a zoo exhibit? Sure, wonderful. I miss the little buggers since I've moved.
Releasing them out in the wild would be disastrous for the ecosystem.
holytriplem@reddit
Yes and they're considered a pest in Germany. Why would we need more invasive rodents? Grey squirrels are bad enough as it is
PM-ME_UR_TINY-TITS@reddit
For what reason? It would be an outrage. A lot of our native animals are in enough trouble as is due to non-native species.
vzzzbxt@reddit
Are cuntry is full!!
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