Confronting the Raccoon Invasion in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

During the 2023/2024 hunting season, hunters in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania shot nearly 22,000 raccoons, significantly surpassing the five-year average. This surge reflects the raccoon's establishment as an invasive species across over 90% of the region's hunting districts, threatening local biodiversity, particularly amphibians.

Although the state is facilitating the purchase of traps to manage the population, financial limitations prevent the implementation of a raccoon bounty. The German Hunting Association is advocating for increased support for trapping efforts, as raccoons have become more prevalent than red foxes in some areas.

The initiative aims to curb their expansion and protect the ecological balance.