MORGANTOWN — What may feel like a kind gesture to a wild animal in your backyard could be doing more harm than good, not just for the animal, but for ecosystems and public health.
The warning comes from wildlife experts and officials, as trapping and relocating animals — especially raccoons — continues to be a common response to nuisance wildlife across West Virginia.
“People are trying to do the right thing, and I respect that,” said Mike Gray, a licensed wildlife control agent and cooperator for USDA Wildlife Services. “But when you trap a raccoon and drop it off at a state park or a wooded area, you could be spreading serious diseases without even knowing it.”
While homeowners often mean well, Gray says the act of relocating raccoons is both illegal and potentially dangerous. According to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources’ nuisance wildlife page, moving wildlife off your property violates state law and can introduce or spread diseases.
One disease is Baylisascaris procyonis, a parasitic commonly found in raccoons. Its microscopic eggs are shed through feces, and once airborne, they can be accidentally inhaled or ingested. This risk can last even after the animal is gone.
“That egg stays viable even after the fecal matter dries,” Gray said. “It can get into the air, onto surfaces, or into your car if you’re transporting the animal. People don’t realize how easily it spreads.”
Even more alarming is the risk of rabies, a commonly known disease that raccoons can carry while showing little to no recognizable symptoms. Gray mentioned a recent case involving an emaciated raccoon picked up in the New Hill area.
“By the time symptoms are visible, it might already be too late,” he said. “Raccoons can carry rabies and not show it until the final stages, but they can still transmit it during that time.”
For those experiencing issues with nuisance wildlife, such as digging, property damage or health concerns, the WVDNR strongly encourages calling your district office to obtain a Wildlife Damage Control Permit. This permit allows you to legally trap or euthanize an animal, or to release it on the same property.
“You don’t need to hire someone like me if you don’t want to,” Gray emphasized. “The DNR will give you a permit over the phone in many cases. But if you trap an animal, and especially if you move it, you must destroy it. It’s not about being cruel — it’s about protecting the rest of the population.”
According to the WVDNR, animal relocation may lead to:
- The spread of rabies and parasites
- Unbalanced ecosystems
- Increased wildlife-human conflict in new areas
- Legal fines and court costs for unlawful possession or transport
Gray, who has spent more than three decades in wildlife control, said he often sees kind-hearted individuals unknowingly worsen problems by moving raccoons between neighborhoods or to public lands.
“We see South Park raccoons ending up in Suncrest, and vice versa,” he said. “It just becomes a game of musical chairs for disease.”
For those worried about catching the “wrong” animal, such as rabbit or possum, Gray offers reassurance, “You can just do what’s called a ‘release at the point of capture.’ Let it go exactly where you caught it, and you’re fine.”
While it may feel cruel to euthanize an animal, Gray argues it’s the most humane approach in the long run.
“When you look at it from a biologist’s point of view, you’re trying to protect the species as a whole, not just the individual,” he said. “It sounds harsh, but it’s the responsible thing to do.”
