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🇧🇪 Belgium /Environment & Climate

Raccoon spotted in Korbeek-Lo: 'Perhaps we must learn to live with it'

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • A raccoon has been filmed in Korbeek-Lo, Belgium, marking its appearance in the region for the first time.
  • Wildlife experts believe the invasive species is unlikely to be stopped and may need to be accepted.
  • While raccoons can disrupt biodiversity, they also consume invasive American crayfish.

A raccoon has been spotted in Korbeek-Lo, Belgium, with footage captured by a wildlife camera confirming its presence. This marks the first documented appearance of the animal in the area, though it has been seen previously in Boortmeerbeek and Haacht.

Perhaps we should accept them, just like the Canada geese, which also don't belong here.

— Jan LoosJan Loos of the nature organization Landschap vzw discusses the potential need to accept the invasive raccoon species.

Jan Loos of the nature organization Landschap vzw suggests that the raccoon's spread is likely unstoppable. "The question is whether that will remain feasible," Loos stated, referring to efforts to capture the animals. He noted that trapping can cause suffering and that the raccoon population is growing. "Perhaps we should accept them, just like the Canada geese, which also don't belong here," he proposed, adding that these exotic species disrupt local biodiversity.

While Loos is not a proponent of the raccoon, he advocates for realism. "If they can't be removed, perhaps it's not worth continuing to invest in control. We will have to learn to live with them," he said. He pointed out a potential benefit: raccoons consume the invasive American crayfish. The animal is an omnivore, feeding on bird eggs, small animals, and fruits, and has few natural predators besides foxes and wolves, though the latter likely prefer larger prey.

If they can't be removed, perhaps it's not worth continuing to invest in the control. We will have to learn to live with them.

— Jan LoosJan Loos of the nature organization Landschap vzw suggests a pragmatic approach to the growing raccoon population.

For humans, the raccoon poses no immediate danger. Despite their appealing appearance, they are wild animals. "In principle, a raccoon will never attack a human. But like all animals, a raccoon becomes dangerous if you corner it. Then it can lash out," Loos explained. The presence of the raccoon in Korbeek-Lo is not surprising given its sightings in Flemish Brabant and its proximity to Wallonia, where tens of thousands of raccoons reside.

In principle, a raccoon will never attack a human. But like all animals, a raccoon becomes dangerous if you corner it. Then it can lash out.

— Jan LoosJan Loos explains the potential danger posed by raccoons if they feel threatened.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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