Sean Halvorsen had an unexpected house guest when a raccoon made an appearance on his McKenzie Lake property. The sighting occurred after his son noticed the creature perched on the roof. This event prompted Halvorsen to realize the potential raccoon issue he was facing, a rarity in Alberta compared to cities like Toronto and Vancouver where raccoons are known as “trash pandas.”
Following a neighbor’s report of a raccoon entering his garage, Halvorsen took action. Concerned about the situation, he sought professional help from Calgary-based Peregrine General Pest Control to safely remove the raccoon from his property. The successful eviction, coupled with a thorough inspection and preventive measures, put Halvorsen at ease.
According to Stephen Hoare, service manager at Peregrine General Pest Control, raccoon-related calls have surged in recent years. The company has adapted strategies to handle these situations effectively, emphasizing humane methods to encourage raccoons to vacate on their own. Hoare mentioned an increase in raccoon sightings year-over-year, attributing this trend to changing weather patterns.
In Calgary, raccoons are primarily found in natural areas like Fish Creek Provincial Park. Biologists suggest that these animals are adapting to milder winters and expanding into urban environments. However, challenges such as competition with native wildlife and human behavior pose obstacles to their population growth in the city. Encounters with raccoons are becoming more common, urging residents to be vigilant in preventing potential conflicts with these adaptable creatures.