Wild survival 'boot camp' for orphaned raccoons in Mississippi

In the US state of Mississippi, a special “boot camp” was organized for orphaned raccoons, where they are prepared to survive in the wild. Associated Press reports.

Dubbed "raccoon camp" by staff, Woodside Wildlife Rescue's program helps sick, injured or abandoned cubs learn the independent living skills they typically learn from their mothers. Most animals are sent to the center after death or separation from their mother due to natural disasters, road accidents and other tragic circumstances. This year the shelter took in 76 little raccoons.

The center's founder, Paula Woodside, a former merchant mariner, opened it in 2019 after a baby raccoon was found on a ship. Her team teaches the animals by example: They hide worms in the ground to show them how to dig for food, crack open pine cones and acorns to get out seeds, and instead of screaming, use sharp trills to imitate the warning call of a mother raccoon. Hearing this sound, raccoons climb up the trees. A short whistle means that the danger has passed.

Raccoons also learn to swim in ponds, a skill especially important in southern Mississippi with its frequent hurricanes. Center staff accompany them on kayaks. In the deep forest, the cubs practice moving from tree to tree to avoid birds of prey and snakes. During the final lesson, a volunteer who does not work at the center traps raccoons in cages to instill in them a fear of traps and people and to wean them off the guardianship of rescuers.

About six months after the rescue, a “graduation” ceremony is held for the “students.” During the military march, the name of each raccoon is read out to them, the priest blesses their path, after which the animals are released in another section of the forest.