There have been numerous sightings of raccoon dogs in urban parks such as Central Park and Sunrise Park in recent weeks. (Image courtesy of the Incheon Facilities Corporation)
SEOUL, Sept. 5 (Korea Bizwire) – Residents of Songdo, a new urban development near Incheon, are facing an unexpected challenge: the emergence of wild raccoon dogs in the heart of their meticulously planned community.
According to the Incheon Facilities Corporation, there have been numerous sightings of raccoon dogs in urban parks such as Central Park and Sunrise Park in recent weeks. On August 26, firefighters rescued a raccoon dog that had fallen into the lake at Central Park, responding to a citizen’s report.
The appearance of these wild animals in urban settings has caught the attention of local authorities and wildlife experts.
“We believe the raccoon dogs have moved into urban parks as their original habitats in farmlands and forests have been developed,” said an official from Yeonsu District, the local government overseeing the area.
The Incheon Wildlife Rescue and Management Center has already rescued and treated 25 injured or ill raccoon dogs in the city this year alone, indicating a growing presence of these animals in urban environments.
Raccoon dogs, native to East Asia, are omnivorous mammals that resemble raccoons but are actually members of the canine family. Their adaptability to various environments has allowed them to thrive even in developed areas.
“We suspect that many raccoon dogs are attracted to the city by food left out for stray cats,” the Yeonsu District official added. “The parks in Songdo have developed their own ecosystems, and without natural predators, the raccoon dog population seems to be flourishing.”
The situation has prompted the Incheon Facilities Corporation to hang banners warning visitors about the presence of wild raccoon dogs. The notices advise people to maintain a safe distance if they encounter the animals and to refrain from approaching or feeding them.
Jung Yun-jung, director of the Incheon Wildlife Rescue and Management Center, offered cautionary advice: “While raccoon dogs typically don’t attack humans unprovoked, they might perceive attempts to touch them, especially by children, as threatening,” adding that while the risk of rabies is not significantly high in urban-dwelling raccoon dogs, it cannot be completely ruled out.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
