City Life Or Wildlife? Raccoon Family Spotted In Hoboken On Saturday Night

HOBOKEN, NJ — People have spotted skunks, snakes, a seal, deer, and rats in Hoboken since the pandemic started, and on Saturday night, Patch spotted three cautious creatures who appeared to be wearing masks.

A family of rather large raccoons were climbing steps and sniffing around garbage cans at Sixth and Garden streets, in the center of the mile-square city.

All three raccoons ran across Garden Street, climbed a tree, and caused a dog to start barking from inside.

(Several raccoons with rabies have been found in New Jersey towns in the past month, including in Montclair. Rabies is always fatal. If you are bitten or scratched by a wild animal, talk to a medical professional immediately.)

Recently, the city of Hoboken began cracking down on people feeding wildlife by threatning $1,000 fines, and has taken measures to combat an increasing rat infestation. READ MORE: Oh Rats! City Places Rodent Baits.

Experts initially said the increase in wildlife was due to a decrease in pollution and threats during the pandemic. But since then, outdoor dining, wet weather, and other conditions have helped wild animals flourish in places they were rarely seen, officials have said. READ MORE: D'oh! A Deer! 2 Deer Run Through Hoboken

At least the "Hoboken Worm Tornadoes," which made national news, haven't returned (yet).

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