They’re stalking the parking garages and trash cans and are watching you closely. NSU has a problem. A furry one.
Raccoons have been spotted in the parking garages located near the Parker and DeSantis buildings. Students have reported being chased by the critters, causing the stairwells to be blocked off.
Jonathan Martinez, junior English major, said, “They need to go. They dig through the garbage, especially by the dorms and leave a mess.”
NSU’s Safety and Regulatory Compliance Administrator Fred Wilson, said the NSU community should treat this issue seriously and stay away from any wildlife on campus.
“Raccoons are not pets,” he said. “I advise students not to feed them or to try and touch them. It would be best to alert Public Safety if a serious problem arises with the animals.”
Wild cats and possums also roam the campus. Wilson said it is uncertain what diseases, if any, these animals may carry or whether they may react viciously if approached or taunted.
“While there hasn’t been a case of an animal attack, it is still best to remain cautious when dealing with wild animals,” said Wilson.
However, Elizabetha Cordona, freshman legal studies major, thinks they are adorable — despite their apparent danger.
“I think they are so cute. It makes me kind of sad that I can’t feed them. I don’t think they’re bothering anyone,” she said.
Wilson said that there is a process for removing raccoons from campus. They are safely trapped and relocated to CB Smith Park in Pembroke Pines. However, he said, sometimes the animals find their way back to campus.
Wilson said the number of wild animals on campus is unknown. But keeping food out of reach helps alleviate the animals’ attraction to campus.
To report a wild animal on campus, contact Public Safety at (954) 262-8999.
