Video: Hunger making raccoons more aggressive

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BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, Wash. - Wildlife groups say they're hearing a common question these days: "What's up with the raccoons?"

It seems there are more of them and they're more visible and aggressive than usual.

The cages at The West Sound Wildlife Shelter are bulging at the seams. Wildlife Director Mike Pratt is sheltering some baby raccoons brought in after their mother was hit by a car.

Pratt says the wild raccoons near his Bainbridge Island facility are making rare daytime appearances and getting closer than usual.

He says it's happening all over the area.

"If you open your kitchen door, they'll just walk right in," he said. "They'll stand and look in people's windows."

Pratt says if humans come face to face with one, the raccoons won't want to hurt them. They're just suffering from a lack of food prompted by the late spring and summer.

"There's just not a lot of the berries and insects and things that are out there," he said.

Pratt warns Washington residents to keep pet foods out of reach and put away the bird feeders. Resist the urge to rescue the babies. Mom may have just scrambled up a tree and may soon return.

Pratt's message is simple: As soon as raccoons' traditional food supplies return, they'll retreat back into the woods. Until then he urges locals to practice a little tough love if they spot one near their homes.

Experts say raccoons rarely contract rabies but can carry other diseases like ringworm and others that can be transmitted to people and dogs.