Coyotes, bears and cougars are not the only predatory animals in Kelowna and the surrounding areas.
We have another creature to be concerned about.
Raccoons are increasingly on the rise throughout the entire Okanagan Valley.
There are dangers and risks with a raccoon infestation in a residential
neighbourhood as raccoons carry diseases other than the obvious rabies.
Their feces contains parasites which can cause health risks, some fatal, in other animals and humans.
As well, a raccoon latrine can infect the surrounding soil for up to 2 years if not properly treated.
Understandably, as urban areas expand into more rural areas, humans are encroaching on the natural homes of the wildlife already in existence.
We can expect wildlife sightings and this shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone choosing to live in such areas.
When these animals no longer have a fear of humans and become aggressive, then we have a problem.
As cute as these wild creatures may seem, they are not the cute, cuddly animals portrayed in the Disney movies.
They are indeed WILD animals and we need to respect that.
There are a few simple things we can all do to help one another:
Gwenn Koch