TheStar.com: Raccoons vs. Toronto's green bins

[Wallyrus]

Toronto needs to clean up it's green bin program, just because the city ALLOWS a certain item doesn't mean you should put it in. Styrofoam? Really?!

[acerb45666555]

if the can is plastic, and the racoon is really hungry, he'll do the same as any hungry black squirrel, he'll chew his way in! actually, the squirrel is you most agressive garbage hunter! a racoon is a saint compared to a squirrel on the hunt !

[TristinaLue]

where can I buy the white clips?

[sajlanfear]

This summer we would like to film raccoons raiding bins, preferably in Toronto, for a BBC/Discovery documentary on animal intelligence. If you have any that come in to your house/garden on a regular basis and you live in the city, please contact sophie.lanfear@bbc.co.uk

[wolfcatsden]

Go Rocky Raccoon :)

[Serpentrose]

It wouldn't be so much of a problem if we could just teach raccoons to clean up after themselves.

[kchishol1970]

Anyways, the mesh lock seems a good compromise; the raccoons gets the food, but he doesn't throw around the contents.

[kchishol1970]

Never underestimate a hungry AND bored raccoon!

[johnathansilveira]

I actually found one trapped inside my recycling bin. What made him want to hide in their bewilders me.

[MDthornton83]

Raccoons can do almost anything. It's amazing what these animals are capable of.

[sgtsnakeeyes11]

lol smart eh?

[ParaAyane]

This video is win XD

We had our share of problems and I always wondered how they get in...

[xtrawld]

Clever little guys that love a challenge.

[OneandOnlyLuna1]

wow those roccoons look like my cat xD lol so damn cute and fluffy looking^^

[HateRunsDeep]

Great video. Lol.

The accompanying music makes it what it is!

[LyngJohn205]

Regarding why the raccoon became fixated on the most elaborate green bin:

I noticed that my cats will become interested in anything I am eating if I make a fuss about it. I also notice that they tease each other with the same behaviour.

I suspect that street-wise raccoons have developed a similar skill in observing humans. They have learned that people hide the best treasures inside the most elaborate containers, and they are drawn to them.

[acurrie]

This is the first useful thing The Star has done in, like... Ever.

That night video better not have been staged!

[WSOntarioCanada]

It was staged.  They used a professional raccoon.