This is getting unbelievable! Since the last article about groundhogs a few days ago I have trapped and relocated the following critters:
- 1 Groundhog (diseased — disposed of see below)
- 3 Raccoons!
Trapping 5 animals seems like a lot of activity so early in the year. I’m wondering if it is a sign of things to come…
Usually the animals appear to be in very good health, but the groundhog I caught yesterday definitely had some issues. About half of her hair was missing due to some sort of mange or something on her rear and tail. It looked she had undergone a groundhog bikini wax that went a little too far. (Brings up a disturbing visual doesn’t it?)
EDIT: Because I wasn’t sure what was wrong with this particular animal I made the decision to dispose of it rather than potentially spread disease or have the animal suffer from whatever was wrong with it. I want to thank the reader who pointed out that I had not made this clear in the original article.
Seeing a diseased animal so close to the house concerns me. As mentioned in the comments I’m redoubling my efforts in that particular area to assess the health of the rest of the groundhogs. I’m also going to ask my local Veterinarian about what sort of diseases, if any, could potentially be transferred to myself or to Zoe my German Shepherd.
The Havehart traps are getting a bit beat up. One has ceased to function. Another is almost not working. Both are in the workshop awaiting a quick adjustment.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Relocating a diseased animal seems like a very bad idea to me. It is likely to spread the problem to a new area. I think this is a time when the animal ought to be killed humanely.
The diseased groundhog was indeed disposed of in a humane way for the exact reason you state. I wasn’t clear at all in the article about this and will go back and edit it. That’s what I get for publishing an article in a hurry.
To be honest the diseased groundhog has me concerned about the health of the rest of the groundhogs in that particular den. I’m redoubling my trapping efforts in that exact area to ensure that there are no more diseased animals present that could spread anything to others around here too.
Thank you for visiting and taking the time to comment!