Cozumel Raccoon - Conservation Actions

Conservation Actions

One conservation approach would be to reduce or even eliminate human impact on the mangrove forests, especially in the northwest corner of the island. This would constitute the halting of development in this area and to establish protected land for the raccoons. This land to be set aside would include the habitat that is crucial to the survival of the species, most importantly the mangrove forests and surrounding semi-evergreen forests.

Another method that could help to restore the populations is captive breeding techniques. If they willingly reproduce in captivity as the common raccoons do, it could be used successfully. Additionally, the arrival of pets, especially feral cats, brought more diseases and parasites that are having a significant effect on the raccoons. The best method of reducing these impacts is to remove as many feral cats as possible. For any conservation action to be successful, conservation personnel will need to find a way to compromise with the tourism industry to save the pygmy raccoons.

Glatston also urged researchers to continue examining the species to assure that the pygmy is a distinct species from its mainland sister taxon.

Read more about this topic:  Cozumel Raccoon

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