Raccoons Along Galveston Seawall Are Getting A Little Too Friendly

GALVESTON, Texas - Raccoons have found a lovely home, hidden along the rocks of the seawall in Galveston Bay, lured by a steady stream of delicious snacks from beach visitors. These little cuties have become rather popular in Galveston, but officials say it's time to put a stop to it all, and for good reason.

Why Can't We Feed The Raccoons?

The City of Galveston stated that wildlife rehabilitators have already taken several raccoons to animal sanctuaries to undergo a "re-wilding process" before they will be released back to areas of natural raccoon habitat.

They also pointed out that feeding human food to the raccoons, like bottled water and cookies, disrupts the natural order of things and causes the animals to rely on humans for survival. This makes the animals unusually bold around humans, showing very little fear to beachgoers. They will sometimes even follow people who aren't trying to feed them, just because they notice food in their hands.

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Are These Galveston Raccoons Dangerous?

So far, there have been no reports of attacks, but it is important to remember that raccoons can carry rabies and other diseases. Interacting with one could pose a risk.

Despite growing concern and city officials asking people to stop, the raccoons are still a seawall fixture. They show up daily on the off chance you might toss them a few Cheetos. As difficult as it might be to stop yourself from sharing your bag of chips with these little furry friends, it's better for them in the long run if you do.

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