Fukuoka Prefecture has initiated a plan to tackle the growing problem of raccoons, an invasive species with strong reproductive capabilities that is causing severe damage to local ecosystems and agriculture. On August 31, the first meeting of the Raccoon Control Strategy Council took place, attended by experts, local hunting associations, and municipal officials. Masako Izawa, the director of the Kitakyushu City Museum of Natural History and Human History, who was appointed chair of the council, stated that controlling raccoons is neither simple nor cheap, and requires a firm commitment.
According to the prefecture, the raccoon population has surged from 118 confirmed cases in 2013 to 2,060 in 2021, an increase of nearly 17 times over eight years. The areas where they have been spotted have expanded from 16 to 39 municipalities. Crop damage has also been significant, with losses in 2021 amounting to 25 million yen, a 9 million yen increase over the previous year. Grapes, watermelons, and corn are notably affected.
The council aims to finalize a plan for capturing raccoons by the end of the year, send speakers to elementary and middle schools to raise awareness about invasive species, and host training sessions to develop experts in raccoon capture. Hiroshi Fujino, the head of Fukuoka Prefecture’s Department of Natural Environment, said that community involvement is crucial in implementing an effective plan to manage the raccoon problem. Source: Fukuoka City / NHK
Photo by Michael Campos on Unsplash
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