Majorca fights to contain invasion of rodents normally found in America

Majorca is intensifying efforts to control its growing raccoon population, as the North American species continues to spread across the island, threatening local wildlife and public health. , with increased trapping efforts and surveillance in affected areas, but experts warn that total eradication may no longer be possible.

Raccoons were , and their numbers have surged since then. The animals, known for their adaptability and opportunistic feeding habits, have found the island’s mild climate and abundant food sources ideal for rapid population growth.

Over the years, sightings have been reported across 14 municipalities, with the highest concentrations in the Serra de Tramuntana and the coastal areas of Calvià and Andratx. Reports from 2021 revealed that raccoons were not only thriving in the wild but were also becoming a nuisance to locals, preying on chickens and turtles and rummaging through urban waste.

By 2023, the problem had escalated further. The Balearic Body for the Protection of Fauna and Flora, Cofib, confirmed that over 1,000 raccoons had been captured since 2006, but many more remained in the wild. In some cases, the animals had even adapted to urban environments, scavenging in residential areas and spreading into new territories.

One of the biggest concerns surrounding the raccoon invasion is Majorca’s lack of natural predators. In their native North American habitats, raccoons face threats from coyotes, bobcats, and large birds of prey. But in Majorca, they are at the top of the food chain, allowing their numbers to expand unchecked.

Their diet is also a major issue. Raccoons eat almost anything, from fruit and amphibians to eggs and invertebrates. There have even been cases where plastic and aluminium foil were found in their stomachs, highlighting their scavenging behaviour in human-inhabited areas. This indiscriminate feeding seriously threatens the island’s native wildlife, particularly vulnerable species such as seabirds and small reptiles.

Beyond environmental concerns, experts warn that raccoons could also become a health risk, as the animals are potential carriers of diseases and parasites that could be transmitted to humans.

In response to the escalating problem, the Balearic Government has stepped up its control measures. As part of its broader strategy to combat invasive species, it has intensified raccoon capture efforts in the Serra de Tramuntana, where populations are highest.

A recent initiative has deployed 150 specialised cages and 85 photo-detection cameras to track and capture raccoons more effectively. The Government has also reinforced its field teams with an additional full-time worker and a dedicated vehicle to improve response times.

These measures are part of a wider conservation programme funded by the ’s Next Generation EU initiative. While much of the funding has been directed towards protecting the endemic Pityusic lizard from invasive snakes, efforts to control other invasive species—including raccoons and rodents—have also been prioritised.

However, despite the increased focus, some local officials remain sceptical about the chances of fully eradicating raccoons from the island. In 2021, the that the government spokesperson Llorenç Suau has admitted that while containment is possible, completely removing the species from Majorca may no longer be realistic.