The Department of Agriculture has said it is yet to receive the results from a series of tests, including checks for rabies, conducted on samples taken from the stowaway raccoon that was captured in West Bay on 22 Oct.
“We await the results so we can have a clear idea of the animal’s disease status,” the DoA told the Cayman Compass in an emailed response to queries Monday, asking whether the department was worried about the potential rabies risk to Cayman.
This comes after a second raccoon, which was discovered with the first raccoon, escaped capture and has been on the loose since 22 Oct.
The DoA said there has been no further sightings of that animal.
“We are urging members of the public to be vigilant and immediately report any sightings to the Department,” the DoA told the Compass.
The animals were found in a shipping container from the United States. The escaped raccoon made a dash for freedom in the vicinity of Republix Plaza in West Bay.
The DoA said its team continues to survey the surrounding areas for any signs of the animal.
“However, without a sighting it is difficult to know where to target trapping or conduct active searches,” it added.
Even though the raccoon has now been in the wild for the last two weeks and there has been no other reported sightings, the DoA still remains positive the animal could be found.
“We will continue to work together with other agencies in the search and encourage the public to will play their part as well. We remain hopeful for a positive outcome,” the DoA said.
Samples for rabies and other tests were taken from the trapped raccoon and sent to a US lab.
Food from the container, in which the pair of raccoons was found, was dumped in light of possible contamination.
Fred Burton, Department of Environment terrestrial resources manager, in an interview with the Compass following the raccoon’s escape, said, those animals are noted for being vectors of diseases which “we should be concerned about”. He expressed fears that if “we end up with a feral population of them here it could be worse than the green iguanas even.”
The sex of the escaped raccoon is unknown but the DoA previously stated that the animal is presumed to be a juvenile and may not be old enough to breed. This was based on the estimated age of the raccoon that was captured and information obtained from persons who saw both raccoons as to their relative size.
The department issued that response after questions were raised as to whether the raccoon on the run could be pregnant since the first raccoon was male.
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