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Just in time to spread a really awful parasite. https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/09/human-cases-of-racco... "severe, frequently fatal, infections of the eyes, organs, and central nervous system. Those who survive are often left with severe neurological outcomes, including blindness, paralysis, loss of coordination, seizures, cognitive impairments, and brain atrophy"

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We treat deer for ticks, etc. A decade ago, I think we would have been smart enough to treat wild raccoons for this parasite, but the time of human domestication is over. In another decade, I expect humans will be marking their territories with feces again.

I, for one, am looking forward to that

RFK Jr is right there with you.

Yes. It's a nasty parasite: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baylisascaris_procyonis

Raccoons while cute, smart, interesting, etc., should not be considered as pets as long as this parasite exists.

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