Welcome the Youngest Raccoon Arrivals
As of mid-September 2024, visitors can observe two charming raccoon youngsters within the Forest & Wetlands section of Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. These five-month-old siblings, named Bluebell and Hickory, have quickly adjusted to their surroundings, spending their time investigating their enclosure, scaling wooden logs, and playing in their running water feature.
According to staff member Miranda, the duo is remarkably observant. She notes that they are constantly examining and touching objects with their paws, though they typically fall into a deep sleep once their high-energy play concludes. Hickory is known for sudden bursts of speed, while Bluebell is slightly more cautious. Those who pay close attention might catch Bluebell chirping or making soft vocalizations toward her sibling and the staff. While both enjoy egg yolks as a special snack, Hickory is especially enthusiastic about mealworms.
The park team is excited for guests to witness the development of these siblings. Their presence serves as an educational bridge, helping the public understand how to coexist peacefully with the wild animals often found in residential neighborhoods.
From Rescue to a Permanent Residence
These cubs were discovered without their mother during tree maintenance at the Memphis Zoo. Following their rescue, local wildlife authorities in Tennessee permitted the zoo to raise them by hand and seek out a suitable permanent facility. The pair moved to Northwest Trek in August, where they spent several weeks acclimating to their caretakers in a private setting before making their public debut.
Raccoons are found across a vast range spanning from the northern parts of South America up to Southern Canada. They are frequently viewed as pests due to their habit of scavenging through refuse or nesting in human structures. To minimize friction with these intelligent mammals, experts recommend never providing them with food, storing domestic pet meals inside, securing trash bins, and ensuring that potential nesting spots under houses or in attics are sealed off.
In the wild, raccoons are vital to environmental health. Their varied diet allows them to manage populations of rodents and bugs, clean up animal remains, and assist in the growth of new plants by spreading seeds throughout their territory.
