Racoons could spell disaster for native wildlife in Scotland

The intelligent and adaptable predators are on the top ten list of invasive species likely to arrive in Scotland in the next decade
Charlotte Alt
The Sunday Times
It is highly likely that a small number of racoons could establish a breeding population, according to NatureScot
It is highly likely that a small number of racoons could establish a breeding population, according to NatureScot
GETTY IMAGES
Charlotte Alt
The Sunday Times

Scotland’s wildlife and ecosystem is at risk of “catastrophe” from raccoons that escape from zoos or stow away on lorries entering the country from Europe, experts have said.

The predators have been named on the top ten watchlist of non-native invasive species which are likely to arrive in the country in the next decade.

Richard Broughton, an ecologist and ornithologist at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH), has said that racoons would be “bad news” for Scotland and for humans but a “potential catastrophe for other wildlife because they have a big biodiversity and environmental impact”.

The watchlist was compiled by the UKCEH and NatureScot for the Scottish government to show the potential impact of non-native species and inform policy on environmental protection.