October 31, 2003

• Park Coon

  
  

  Within a week of starting to work here, I was aware there was an adult raccoon in the park-like area within the technical center that also houses the microbrewery restaurant. I had seen his footprints and, later, heard his call.

  
  

  Tonight I saw him.

  
  

  I first spotted him about 80 feet away when he stood to hug a tree. I could see his dark outline against the lighted buildings behind him. He vanished for a moment as he moved towards me. He pulled up the piece of rope used to mark the boundry of the volleyball court and was playing with it, about thirty feet from me, when he noticed me eating my lunch on my stone bench in the dark.

  
  

  He immediately started over to investigate. As tame as he seemed, he is still a wild animal, so I warned him off when he was less than ten feet from me. He headed up the hill towards the exercise room, which is also the general direction of a trash barrel and the restaurant.

  
  

  I have been told that two raccoons have been seen fighting in the area but I have only seen evidence of one.

  
  

  This is not a wilderness area. While it isn't downtown, it is in an industrial / technical area of a major city. This animal was well fed, healthy and fearless, almost friendly (if he could be trusted). In the same area I have seen many rabbits, a couple of owls and some crows. Others have seen mice. I suspect there are also rats and either foxes or coyotes that if not actually living here pay regular visits here. I've seen no sign of dogs or cats in the area. Nor skunks.

  
  

  These are the creatures that are habituated to living with humans.

  • 00:15
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