New details have emerged in the story of a raccoon which was killed near the village Hafnir on Reykjanes peninsula, shedding light on the origin and unfortunate adventure of the raccoon, the first raccoon to be spotted in Iceland in two decades. Analysis of the carcass of the animal shows that it was a one year old female, it was born in the wild and came from North America.
Illegal American immigrant
By analyzing parasites the animal was carrying biologists were able to identify its origins. Ten different parasites were found in the animal, including several parasites which are only found in raccoons who live in the wild in North America. This rules out the theory that the animal might have been smuggled to Iceland as a pet. Instead it is now believed the raccoon came to Iceland as a stowaway onboard a plane. Keflavík International Airport is close to the location where the raccoon was found.
Read more: Raccoon caught and killed near Keflavík Airport: No Racoons seen in Iceland for 20 years
The animal also carried several parasites it could only have contracted by eating fish and crustaceans found in the region where it was caught. Scientists believe that the raccoon had been in Iceland for several weeks before it was caught.
While we at Iceland Insider agree that invasive species like raccoons must be kept in check, as they can bring unwanted and dangerous animal diseases and parasites, as well as upsetting the local animal life, we cannot help but feel sorry for this unfortunate illegal immigrant: Iceland is no place for an American raccoon.
New details have emerged in the story of a raccoon which was killed near the village Hafnir on Reykjanes peninsula, shedding light on the origin and unfortunate adventure of the raccoon, the first raccoon to be spotted in Iceland in two decades. Analysis of the carcass of the animal shows that it was a one year old female, it was born in the wild and came from North America.
Illegal American immigrant
By analyzing parasites the animal was carrying biologists were able to identify its origins. Ten different parasites were found in the animal, including several parasites which are only found in raccoons who live in the wild in North America. This rules out the theory that the animal might have been smuggled to Iceland as a pet. Instead it is now believed the raccoon came to Iceland as a stowaway onboard a plane. Keflavík International Airport is close to the location where the raccoon was found.
Read more: Raccoon caught and killed near Keflavík Airport: No Racoons seen in Iceland for 20 years
The animal also carried several parasites it could only have contracted by eating fish and crustaceans found in the region where it was caught. Scientists believe that the raccoon had been in Iceland for several weeks before it was caught.
While we at Iceland Insider agree that invasive species like raccoons must be kept in check, as they can bring unwanted and dangerous animal diseases and parasites, as well as upsetting the local animal life, we cannot help but feel sorry for this unfortunate illegal immigrant: Iceland is no place for an American raccoon.
