Having spent time late at night rescuing tiny bullfrogs from a construction site , my son ( caught and moved them to a nearby lake, had to scale a fence to do it) - at home washing up he hears splashing in the back yard! Armed with a stick he investigates. Pond is clear but disturbed. He hears dripping sounds, looks up to see a huge, soaking wet raccoon in the tree!
I lost my biggest fish this week and have had the filter repeatedly dismantled and dragged out of the pond 
Maybe buy a humane trap to catch and release? A little concerned about catching a skunk instead!
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4 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Personally I would not want to trap an animal, especially if it has teeth and claws. I mean I love cats and have six, but I know that if I really piss one of these critters off I am heading for the emergency room, if I make it. I saw a news segment in Portland, Or where there was a number of raccoons occupying a back yard. They called Animal people and the camera showed the teeth and claws they have and use without mercy. Be careful and do not get hurt, I like your posts and you would be missed.
dalefvictor
Level 8
Aug 15, 2019
1
Possums are a more likely target. I've trapped raccoons before, but you'll need to move them several miles away. They have quite a large range.
AstralSmoke
Level 8
Aug 15, 2019
0
@AmiSue I'm not saying you don't have a raccoon problem. What I meant is you are more likely to trap an opossum rather than a raccoon.
If you do decide to trap and release, you need to make sure you check your traps early every morning.
But instead of trapping, because @evergreen is correct, you might just want to spread chicken wire or something similar over the pond.
The issues with catch and relocate are as follows : the void the animal that you trapped leaves, will be filled by another animal - perhaps more than one. Then - imagine yourself being suddenly relocated to a far away place you've never been (think deportation) - and just left there - you may not survive. Then, the adult you capture may have little ones that would likely die without the parent.
There is much information, and ways to predator-proof your pond on the internet and youtube. Please consider ...
evergreen
Level 8
Aug 15, 2019
1
What ever you catch through a big rag/cloth over it and it shouldn't be too bad. My bet is on a raccoon
LeighShelton
Level 8
Aug 15, 2019
0
@AmiSue There are stories of people moving raccoons ridiculous amounts of distance only for them to eventually find their way home.
@Allamanda I believe what he (@LeighShelton) meant was once you have trapped it, they are less restless if you throw a rag over the cage before you move it. That's the way I was reading it anyway. All wild animals are less agitated if they are in a covered confined space.
@Allamanda i mean over the humane trap, not just the animal lol.
@Allamanda very risky otherwise
@AmiSue how would you like to be moved ?
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