Rabid Raccoon Caught Inside Maymont

July 12th, 2009 | posted by Peter

Pet owners beware a rabid raccoon was caught last week while prowling in nearby Maymont Park. The raccoon (or Procyon lotor, as it is known to scientists and people that use Wikipedia to research blog posts) is usually a nocturnal creature that scavenges throughout the night. The critter caught in Maymont was spotted during the broad daylight by a park visitor walking near the Children's Center.

WRIC 8 has more on this rabid raccoon:

[Maymont Director of Habitats and Nature Center Henry Bireline] said the visitor brought the situation to the attention of the animal care staff, which restrained and quarantined the animal. Park officials confirmed the raccoon was wild, and not part of the park's animal exhibits.

The visitor who discovered the raccoon was not injured.

Maymont officials were notified Wednesday that tests on the raccoon confirmed it was rabid. It is unknown if any of the park's animals came into contact with the rabid animal.

Get more on this story from WRIC 8

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On 15:11pm, July 14th, 2009 Tim (not verified) said:

My wife saw a racoon this

My wife saw a racoon this morning in Byrd Park while walking our dog. I called the city's animal control, got transferred several times via voice jail and left a message in a mailbox no one probably checks. It was in the crook of a tree on the edge of the park near Addison St.
On 11:32am, July 13th, 2009 Zach (not verified) said:

Nice

That graphic surely deserves an award of some kind. Well done, neighbor. Well done.

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