SBWCN
Source: SBWCN
Patient #3873 of 2021: Northern raccoon
Status: Still in Care
Sometimes the road to rehabilitation is a long one, but this little guy is a fighter! Raccoon patient #3873 arrived in November of 2021 after suffering severe injuries from what the team believes was a vehicle collision. Upon initial examination, he was found to have significant head trauma and a fractured right femur. This juvenile raccoon’s head injuries started improving with medication and supportive care; however, his leg required special surgical intervention. Patient #3873 needed all the help he could get. Luckily, Dr. Simpson from VMSG Ventura led the SBWCN team in a surgery that removed the fractured head of the femur and trimmed the fractured edge of the femoral neck, allowing for the formation of a “false joint.”
Now, after more than three months of successful treatment, medication, and care, he has made a full recovery! He will soon be released alongside a group of orphaned raccoons that have also been in care at SBWCN.
Northern raccoon facts:
- Raccoons are native to North America and have been found in 49 out of the 50 states. They are also native to the northern parts of South America and Canada.
- Raccoons’ hands act as a second set of eyes as they have highly developed nerves in their pads, allowing them to identify items.
- Raccoons live an average of five years in the wild; however, some have reached sixteen years old!
- Raccoons are omnivorous, opportunistic eaters that forage for whatever is in their environment, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and meat.
- They can reach speeds of up to 15 miles per hour on the ground.
- They are excellent swimmers and climbers.
Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1988. For over 30 years, SBWCN has served to rescue, rehabilitate, and return to the wild sick, injured, orphaned, and oil-impaired wildlife in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties and to educate the public about living in harmony with wildlife. The SBWCN Helpline is available everyday from 9 AM–5 PM for animal emergencies and wildlife advice: (805) 681-1080.
Donations in support of this work can be made at www.sbwcn.org/donate.
