CBC’s The Nature of Things aired its Raccoon Nation documentary Feb. 24, featuring York psychology and biology Professor Suzanne MacDonald and PhD student Marc Dupuis-Desormeaux:
The researchers tagged the raccoons with GPS collars to log their travels throughout the city, recording them at up to 1,500 points over six weeks. They found that the raccoons live in small territories and avoid crossing major streets – which, given the risk of becoming road kill, is a key survival strategy.
The documentary includes detailed graphics of raccoon activity drawn from their research data, which was gathered in Toronto (the raccoon capital of the world). You can watch the full film on CBC’s website.
Prior to airing, the documentary was covered in England’s The Guardian Feb. 23; The Canadian Press’s story on the film was featured in several newspapers and radio stations in Canada.
Raccoon Nation repeats on CBC News Network March 3 and will air on PBS Nature later this year.
Posted by Elizabeth Monier-Williams, research communications officer, with files courtesy of YFile– York University’s daily e-bulletin