Since last week, Landgoed Hoenderdaell in Anna Paulowna has a new animal species: the raccoon. Sixteen raccoons entered a brand new enclosure last Wednesday, after the AAP foundation had taken care of the animals in various places in Limburg. Since this week, visitors can take a look at these special newcomers, even if they are still a bit shy themselves.
These raccoons, among others, have recently been caught in Limburg by the AAP Foundation. The province has been suffering from a plague for a long time. This raccoon plague can have consequences for nature and the life of other animal species. Since the end of last year, the raccoons are even allowed fired but Stichting AAP tries to save as many as possible and place them in a suitable accommodation. Such as Landgoed Hoenderdaell in Anna Paulowna.
This estate, which is already known as a shelter for lions and tigers, has done its best last year to realize such a suitable accommodation for the raccoons. They are therefore very happy with the arrival of the animals. “I think they’re fantastic, they’re like little bandits,” says animal caretaker Daphne Pels van Hoenderdaell.
Invisible
Visitors are already very curious about these new residents, but they can’t see much of these bandits at the moment. They don’t dare to show themselves yet. Only when you look closely can you catch a glimpse of them.
“These animals need a little more time before they show themselves,” explains Daphne Pels. “I don’t know how long it will take, but slowly the brave animals from the group will show themselves.”
She therefore suspects that the raccoons are very frightened. “They have experienced something really bad and then they come to a place that is completely new,” says Daphne Pels.
In the photo below, a raccoon is hiding under the roof of his new enclosure (text continues below the photo).
But according to the animal caretaker, it should be all right with the newcomers over time. “They are very curious and can climb well. They have strong hands and love water very much. They like to wash their food in water, hence the name raccoon,” explains Daphne Pels.
The accommodation is also fully equipped and also has a stream and plenty of greenery. But the planting is not too high, to prevent escape. “It’s very windy here and we want to prevent one from escaping if a large tree blows over and falls over the railing,” explains Pels. “They are mischievous animals, so the enclosure is really raccoon-proof.”
‘We hope that other zoos are also willing to take in such animals’
Hoenderdaell’s caretakers try to spoil the raccoons as much as possible, so that they quickly feel at home. “They have all been spayed and neutered and can live their lives here,” says Pels. “We hope that other zoos will also be willing to take in such animals after this.”
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