Ciudad Juárez activists urge caution regarding native wildlife

Environmental activists from the Sierra de Juárez collective are advising residents of Ciudad Juárez to avoid direct interaction with native wildlife, specifically raccoons and cacomixtles. The recommendation follows an incident in the 16 de Septiembre neighborhood where a raccoon entered a home, causing alarm among neighbors.

Raymundo Aguilar, a member of the collective, clarified that the presence of a raccoon does not automatically indicate a risk of rabies, but warned that these animals are naturally curious and may become aggressive if approached. Residents are urged to protect their pets to avoid harming the wildlife and to report urgent sightings to the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) rather than local fire departments or civil protection, as Profepa is the authority responsible for wildlife.

Native species such as the raccoon are common throughout the region, from the city center to Anapra and the Sierra de Juárez. Experts emphasize the importance of learning to coexist with these animals safely.