Spredning af feral Mårhund (Nyctereutes procyonoides) i Danmark

The aim of this study was to examinedispersal and population development of the feral raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Denmark, during 2008-2013. Potential origin of the raccoon dogs in Denmark and their dispersal patterns was investigated by use of observations of raccoon dogs in Denmark and studies of dispersal patterns in other countries. The dispersal analysis was based on statistics of raccoon dogs submitted to the Danish Technical University, National Veterinary Institute (DTU NVI) in the period 2008-2013.
These raccoon dogs were either shot or found as road kills by private citizens, or organizations such as The Danish Nature Agency and Danish Hunters’ As- sociation. During 2008-2013, the number of received dead raccoon dogs at the DTU NVI increased, suggesting that the population size increased during the period. Earlier findings of raccoon dog in Denmark suggest that the population might have its origin as escapees from private holds, which is also supported by five scattered findings of raccoon dog in 2008. The population started spreading across the country in 2009 from a stronghold in Western Jutland, indicating that the raccoon dog already had invaded large parts of Denmark. The population seems to develop and reproduce rapidly, underlining that the species have great chances for surviving and expanding its range in Denmark. This study indicates that a higher culling rate is needed for eradication of the raccoon dogs in Denmark, if possible.