Dangerous American raccoon cornered on farm
Chris Donegan • Published 2 Feb 2012 13:00
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It looks as cute as a kitten and some people keep them as pets but it is a dangerous wild animal and a threat to public safety and Fermanagh's wildlife.
This coatimundi wandered on to a farm at Teemore, near Derrylin, thousands of miles and an ocean away from its home in central America.
Given that it prefers tropical weather it would have been glad of its thick fur coat in Arctic Fermanagh this week.
It is related to the North American raccoon which, with its bandit mask and penchant for raiding bins, has become a pest in some areas of the United States.
The threat from the coatimundi comes, not from a robbing habit, but from the risk it poses to public safety and as a killer of local wildlife.
According to the NIEA (Northern Ireland Environment Agency) the coatimundi is listed under the Dangerous Wild Animals (Northern Ireland) Order.
"As the animal is not in captivity it is a public safety issue which the PSNI deals with," said a NIEA spokesman. "In addition it is an offence under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 to release or allow to escape into the wild any wild animal which is not ordinarily resident or a regular visitor to Northern Ireland in a wild state. Again PSNI would take forward such investigations. I understand that the PSNI is currently investigating the matter and we have been liaising with them since the incident came to light."
The coatimundi wandered down a farm lane and into an outhouse at Teemore. The farmer captured it and put it in a barrel with netting wire on top to stop it escaping. He then contacted Tom McGoldrick, chairman of Lough Erne Wildfowlers' Council.
Tom has spent some time in America and recognised the animal as a member of the raccoon family. He circulated a picture, hoping for a positive identification.
Brad Robson, manager of the RSPB's reserves in Fermanagh, immediately recognised it as a coatimundi.
"I was in central America many years ago and it was an animal I was hoping to see," he explained.
He certainly wasn't hoping to see one here in Fermanagh.
"I'm amazed that this thing was in the Fermanagh countryside," he said. "It certainly shouldn't be released back into the countryside."
He explained that coatimundi would prey on native insects, small animals and birds.
"They have a fantastic sense of smell with that big long nose. They are supposed to be quite clever as well," he added.
"They have recently been found living in the wild in Germany and Holland and undoubtedly cause a lot of damage," warned Brad.
A PSNI spokesman said: "Enquiries are continuing and police would ask anyone with any information to contact them on 0845 600 8000. Or if someone would prefer to provide their information without giving their details they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111."
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 02 Feb 12
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