Hirosaki City is currently calling attention to local residents to stay away from raccoons.

Originally, alien raccoons that lived in North America and Central America are said to have become wild due to the release of individuals bred in ordinary Japanese households in the 1970s. It is designated as the 100 worst invasive alien species by the Ecological Society of Japan.

In "Public information Hirosaki" published by Hirosaki City, the headline "Watch out for raccoons!" calls for caution, "Never approach!" "Never give food!" According to the City's Rural Development Division, the number of raccoons caught is increasing year by year, with 123 catching last year and 16 already this year. "We announce it to farmers almost every year, but there are few notices to the general public."

Raccoons are omnivorous, aiming for field-grown crops such as watermelons and melons, and crops such as grapes and cherries have been damaged in Hirosaki City. Although no damage to humans has been reported in Hirosaki, there are cases where people settle in the attic of a house, and the city is calling for no stimulation even if they are seen.

The person in charge of the department said, “Raccoons not only have rabies and raccoon roundworms, but also have claws and fangs, and although they have individual differences, they also have a violent personality. Please wait for us to leave and contact us!"

Damage to agricultural products is accepted at the Hirosaki City Rural Development Division (TEL 0172-40-4155 ), and other damage is accepted at the Environment Division (TEL 0172-36-0677 ).