DETROIT – Detroit resident Charles H. Smith discovered unwelcome visitors in his backyard oasis when a family of raccoons began making nightly appearances about three weeks ago.
Smith, the former president of the Oakman Neighborhood Community Association, has trapped six raccoons in recent weeks after they damaged his lawn searching for grubs.
He suspects the construction activity of the Joe Louis Greenway Project may have displaced them.
“Now they’re being disturbed, displaced because of the new construction,” Smith said.
The wildlife situation extends beyond raccoons. Smith reports seeing geese, rabbits, possums, and deer entering residential areas.
“We have seen geese, rabbits, possums, deer coming into the neighborhoods as a result of being displaced,” Smith said.
After attempting various deterrent methods, including cleaning out a pond that attracted wildlife, Smith initially sought professional help.
However, with multiple raccoons visiting nearly every night and mounting costs, he began trapping them himself.
“Raccoons are very aggressive when trapped,” Smith noted, describing the challenging nature of his wildlife management efforts.
Each time he catches on, he transports them to the Michigan Anti-Cruelty Society, which takes in all kinds of animals.
He says they send him back with a trap each time.
A city spokesperson says the Joe Louis Greenway Project, which is being constructed on land that has been vacant for decades, represents one of several redevelopment initiatives in the area.
Smith believes that this construction activity may explain the sudden increase in wildlife sightings in residential areas.
City officials say wildlife-related inquiries are handled by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), as the city doesn’t handle wildlife issues.
However, the MDNR’s recommendations align with Smith’s current approach.
“For the homeowner that is seeing these animals show up for the first time, there’s very little assistance,” according to MDNR officials.
