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In water-associated nature reserves, 108 raccoons (Procyon lotor) were examined for their predation and potential impacts on native species. Stomach and fecal samples were analyzed to determine their diet. Additionally, the parasite fauna was recorded, as insights into further prey organisms can be drawn from their specific life cycles. Evidence such as common toads (Bufo bufo) or smooth newts (Lissotriton vulgaris), as well as parasites like Euryhelmis squamula, indicate that raccoons exert predation pressure on sensitive species, especially amphibians. Three parasites—Hymenolepis erinacei, Physocephalus sexalatus, and Pomphorhynchus laevis—were newly documented for raccoons in Europe.

Peter N, Schantz AV, Dörge DD, Steinhoff A, Cunze S Skaljic A, Klimpel S. 2024. Evidence of predation pressure on sensitive species by raccoons based on parasitological studies. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife, 100935.

If a person is infected with the raccoon roundworm Baylisascaris procyonis, this can lead to larva migrans with serious consequences. These include a. o. neurological problems, which can lead to death under certain circumstances. This parasite is spread by the raccoon, which is invasive in Europe. In order to investigate the occurrence in raccoon populations in France, a total of 300 raccoons were examined between 2011 and 2021. For the first time, three B. procyonis organisms were detected in a juvenile raccoon near the Belgian and Luxembourg borders. It is still unclear how the human pathogenic nematode was introduced into the otherwise uninfected population and what consequences this could have in the future.

Umhang G, et al. 2024. Surveys on Baylisascaris procyonis in two of the three French wild raccoon populations. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife 23, 100928. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100928

Since 2019, the raccoon dog has been listed as an invasive species of Union concern and is suspected of having a negative impact on native biodiversity and endangering human and animal health. In this study, 73 raccoon dogs from Germany were examined for their parasitization and diet. Twenty parasite species were identified, six of which have human pathogenic potential, e.g. Echinococcus multilocularis. Predation on a large number of animals was also demonstrated, including protected species such as the grass frog. In addition, a connection between nutrition and parasitization could be deduced.

Schantz AV, Dörge, DD, Peter N, Klimpel S (2023). The hidden threat: Exploring the parasite burden and feeding habits of invasive raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in central Europe. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife 22, 155–166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.10.004