Hundreds of raccoons mysteriously invade yard – here's why!
More than 100 raccoons have invaded the yard of a Washington state woman after it came out that she was feeding the wild animals for three decades.
The Kitsap County Sheriff's Office told Fox News that hundreds of raccoons had taken over the elderly woman's yard.
The woman had been feeding the animals for more than 30 years, and word had apparently gotten out among the local raccoon population.
She reported the invasion by phone, and police officers came to her house.
"For some reason, 6 weeks ago, the number of raccoons that were showing up increased to over 100," said Kitsap County Sheriff's Public Information Officer Kevin McCarty.
"The woman said they must have started inviting friends."
McCarty said the woman did not report any damage to her property, but the raccoons gradually began scratching at her house and harassing her.
"Anytime she comes out of her house, they swarm her until she throws them food. The normal raccoons that she feeds are nice, but the new ones showing up scare her," McCarty said.
Feeding wild animals should be avoided
McCarty urged people not to feed wild animals, no matter how cute they are or how much they might beg.
"Raccoons are wild animals, and feeding them can be unhealthy for them," he said.
"Wildlife experts say having a large number of raccoons gathered together can also spread disease among the animals."
Raccoons can also be aggressive, so it's advisable to give them space and let them find food and shelter on their own in the wild, he added.
The woman was referred to the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, which will now help her find a solution to her problem.
The agency said its wildlife conflict specialist was trying to contact the resident to give her expert advice about the many animals.
Cover photo: Kitsap County Sheriff's Office