Distemper In Raccoons Common This Time Of Year
Cobourg Police had to shoot a raccoon recently in Cobourg’s east end.
Police were called after a raccoon was acting strangely in the neighbourhood.
Sue Meech who is the Director of Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre in Napanee said canine distemper in the raccoon population is something that has been around for many years.
Meech is licensed provincially by the Ministry of Natural Resources and federally by Canadian Wildlife Services to provide care and shelter for animal wildlife.
The Mandate of the Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre which has been in operation since 1994 is to help all injured and orphaned wildlife (including mammals, birds, reptiles/amphibians) and release them back into the wild.
“It is a virus and if there are large numbers of raccoons it will spread more easily. This year has been no different. We have seen the disease in adults and young raccoons. it is viral and affects the nervous system causing them to have difficulty walking and often appearing unafraid of humans and vehicles.”
If anyone spots a raccoon acting strangely do not approach it and call police.
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Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love