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Berlin Senate Reports Surge in Raccoon Conflicts at Hospitals, Schools and Utilities

Germany's raccoon population is estimated at 1.3 to 2 million.

Overview

  • Officials confirm increasing complaints and damage in Berlin, often from raccoons nesting in roofs and interfering with technical infrastructure.
  • Named sites include Charité, BSR buildings, schools, waterworks, swimming pools, a power plant, barracks, parks and private properties.
  • From 2020 to 2025, 83 raccoons were killed in Berlin, with 24 removals cited for protecting sensitive infrastructure, preventing property damage or meeting hygiene requirements.
  • Authorities describe these as targeted actions rather than a citywide population reduction, and raccoons may be hunted year-round in Berlin.
  • With numbers reported in the millions and ranges expanding, guidance urges residents to secure bins, restrict food attractants, protect bird feeders and block climbing routes; live-trapped animals must be handed to hunters and not relocated.