Rab the raccoon is still on the loose in Ballymena. Raccoons aren’t native to Northern Ireland but it is reported that Rab has escaped from local a pet shop and has been spotted on Linenhall Street, at the People’s Park and feasting on scraps of food from bins. Recently he was spotted on a local building site where he had managed to creep inside a cavity wall. Urban Raccoons love places like hollows in old garden trees, cottages, garages, abandoned houses, and attics.
Raccoon shown above is not Rab the Raccoon but is very similar
Rab is not thought to be a danger to people, but raccoons are listed in the Dangerous Wild Animal (NI) Order 2004. This means that it is the legal duty of the police to assist in returning Rab to his wife, Rita, and their four kits (young raccoons) at Jungle World.
If you have spotted Rab the Raccoon then please contact police on the non emergency number 101. Do not try to approach or capture him, but wait until the police arrive to help. Keep your eyes peeled for Rab the Raccoon when you are out and about in Ballymena.