KOBE - Raccoons are increasingly invading homes across Japan, damaging roofs and wiring, contaminating buildings with large amounts of urine and feces, and raising concerns over agriculture, native wildlife and the spread of disease as their population continues to expand.
At a temple in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, pest-control specialists were recently called in after raccoons entered the building for the third time. The wooden structure, which is more than 80 years old, backs onto a mountain, providing easy access for animals capable of climbing almost vertically up fences and walls.
Investigators found raccoon footprints around the temple and determined that the animals were likely raising young in a narrow space beneath the roof, where the clearance was only about 30 centimeters in places.
A pest-control specialist said raccoons often return to the place where they were born when they later give birth themselves. Litters commonly contain four to six young, with six frequently seen.
The animals are also powerful enough to damage parts of buildings while forcing their way inside.
The temple priest said he realized the raccoons had returned after hearing rustling and animal calls while cleaning leaves from the roof.
The temple had already suffered two previous invasions. During the first incident, a raccoon settled above the ceiling of the main hall. Water suddenly began pouring from the air-conditioning area, and a repair worker discovered that an animal had chewed through equipment.
After the raccoon was driven from the main hall and measures were taken to block its return, another part of the temple roof was invaded. This time, the animals targeted the roof space above an extension containing a bath.
Raccoons are known for repeatedly trying to return to buildings they have previously occupied, making complete sealing of entry points essential.
Similar cases are increasing in residential areas of Kobe.
Raccoons were originally imported into Japan as pets during a boom in their popularity, but some escaped or were released when owners could no longer care for them. The animals subsequently established wild populations, including in major urban areas, and spread across the country.
With few natural predators in Japan, their numbers have continued to rise. Damage to agricultural crops has increased, while their omnivorous diet has also raised concerns about predation on native species and broader effects on ecosystems.
Another concern is that raccoons moving between forests and residential areas can carry ticks and other disease vectors into human living spaces, including attics.
At the Kobe temple, stains from raccoon urine and feces remain visible on the ceiling of the main hall despite disinfection following the earlier infestation.
Determined to prevent a third recurrence, the temple brought in specialists to locate and remove the animals.
Because the suspected nesting area could not be opened from the outside through its mortar wall, workers cut an opening in the ceiling and attempted to reach the attic directly.
The work was considered dangerous because adult raccoons can become particularly aggressive during the breeding and rearing season and may attack when cornered.
Workers heard young raccoons crying from inside the roof but could not initially see them. When part of the ceiling was opened, large quantities of feces and leaves were found, along with light entering through a gap believed to have been used by the animals to get inside.
The cramped attic prevented workers from reaching the animals directly, so smoke was introduced into the roof space to drive them out.
After about 10 minutes, an adult raccoon appeared at an opening and cautiously looked outside before climbing down and disappearing into the nearby mountain.
Workers then found the young still inside the attic and captured three juvenile raccoons.
About one month later, all gaps that could provide another entry route were sealed with aluminum plates. The attic was also cleaned and disinfected to remove animal odors that could encourage raccoons to return.
The specialist said raccoon-related work is particularly busy from May through August.
Local governments are also stepping up efforts to control the growing population.
Kobe has launched the KOBE Raccoon Busters program, which teaches registered civic groups how to use capture cages and lends them the equipment.
Around 20 groups are currently registered, and a reward of 3,000 yen is paid for each raccoon captured.
City officials said raccoons are not native to Japan and pose risks to indigenous species as well as causing damage to homes and other property. The program is intended to increase the number of animals captured and gradually reduce the population.
Capturing raccoons is regulated, however, and requires either a hunting license or authorization and registration under procedures established by local governments. Members of the public are not permitted to capture the animals without the necessary approval.
Source: Television OSAKA NEWS
