Raccoon dogs, weasels, other wildlife prowl in urban backyard
Print Edition
Wild animals appearing in urban areas are often lauded as a sign of man and nature co-existing in harmony, but some residents in the Yannanyuan neighborhood on Hongmei Road S. are uneasy about communing with nature.
Residents and property management say there are too many raccoon dogs, foxes and weasels scavenging for food in their area. The wild animals sometimes scare people.
“We noticed raccoon dogs starting to appear in the neighborhood last year,” said a property management official surnamed Wang. “At first we didn’t pay much attention because their numbers were limited and they only came during the night.”
But successful foraging has increased their numbers and their bravado, he said. One night, 30 raccoon dogs were seen lurking around the neighborhood. They have even been spotted during daylight hours.
Wild animal encounters
“We received reports of two residents walking their dogs when wild animals suddenly darted out from the bushes,” Wang said. “The residents were frightened by the encounter.”
Wang said the animals find refuge among extensive greenery areas around the neighborhood and in the nearby forest.
One resident said a family of weasels has set up home under the terrace of his house.
“They catch birds for breakfast,” the resident reported, adding that he once opened his front door to find a badger was eating the family cat’s food.
The Minhang District Forestry Station has assured residents that the animals won’t attack humans, though they may be a public nuisance.
Raccoon dogs and weasels are included in China’s “List of Beneficial Animals with Significant Economic and Research Value,” so residents aren’t allowed to catch them or hurt them.
Officials said the neighborhood should remove excess brush from near homes to deny the animals refuge.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
