Raccoons, native to North America, are present across Europe, where they are recognized as an introduced species. Since 2016, the European Union has classified the raccoon as an Invasive Alien Species of Union Concern. This classification signifies that the species cannot be intentionally released into the environment, bred, transported, or commercialized within the EU.
How Raccoons Arrived in Europe
Raccoons were first introduced to Europe in the early 20th century, primarily for their fur. One of the earliest recorded introductions occurred in Germany in 1934, when two breeding pairs were released near Lake Edersee. A second significant introduction happened in 1945 when 25 individuals escaped from a fur farm in Brandenburg, Germany, during World War II.
Raccoons were kept in fur farms across Europe since the early 1900s, and escapes from these facilities continued over decades. The pet trade also played a role, with some owners releasing raccoons into the wild when the animals became too difficult to manage. These activities facilitated the establishment of wild raccoon populations.
Where Raccoons Are Found in Europe
Raccoons have established populations in at least 27 European countries. Germany remains a primary distribution hotspot, with populations expanding rapidly, particularly in the central and eastern regions. Estimates suggest that by 2024, Germany alone could host over 2 million raccoons, with hunting records indicating a 60-fold increase in their population over the last 25 years.
The species has spread across central and eastern Europe, with populations continuing to grow. Beyond Germany, established populations are found in countries like France, Spain, Italy, Poland, and the Netherlands. In Italy, reproductive populations are now found in Lombardy and the border region between Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. This widespread presence demonstrates the raccoon’s adaptability to various European habitats, including urban areas.
Effects of Raccoons on European Ecosystems
The presence of raccoons in Europe has several implications for native ecosystems. As an omnivorous species, raccoons consume a wide array of food sources, including invertebrates, plants, and vertebrates. This diet allows them to prey on native wildlife, such as ground-nesting birds, amphibians, and reptiles, which often lack defenses against this new predator. Studies in Brandenburg indicate that raccoons regularly prey on ground-nesting birds, and research from western Poland shows them consuming significant quantities of endangered mussels.
Raccoons also pose a risk for disease transmission to both wildlife and humans. They are known carriers of zoonotic diseases, including rabies and the parasitic roundworm Baylisascaris procyonis. While rabies has been largely eliminated in Western Europe, the raccoon could complicate disease control efforts in eastern parts of the continent, where 142 cases of rabies in raccoons have been identified, particularly in Ukraine, Estonia, Germany, and Lithuania. The raccoon roundworm can cause severe illness in humans if ingested, and its prevalence is increasing in Europe.
Beyond ecological impacts, raccoons can affect human environments. Their intelligence and adaptability allow them to thrive in urban areas, where they frequently raid garbage bins and damage property. They can exploit weaknesses in buildings, seeking shelter in attics and chimneys, which can lead to structural damage and waste accumulation. This ability to exploit human-modified landscapes contributes to their success as an invasive species in Europe.