A rare albino raccoon is in the care of a Westmoreland County wildlife rescue after it was found with its two siblings at a Somerset County lumberyard, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
The three baby animals were captured Tuesday by state Game Warden Andy Harvey at Berlin Lumber, southeast of Somerset. They were taken to Wildlife Works’ location in Mt. Pleasant Township.
Wildlife rehabilitator Morgan Barron said she intends to release the animals back into the wild when they’re ready in about a month or so. Albino wild animals are rare, she said. She estimated their age around 10 weeks.
An albino animal does not have pigment in the hair and skin as a result of a genetic condition. A creature with the condition typically has white hair and pink or red eyes. That means no telltale raccoon markings of gray, black and white fur with a ringed tail and masked facial appearance.
The game commission reported in a Facebook post that employees at the lumberyard had noticed the kits for a few weeks, but left them alone presuming that their mother was around and that they’d eventually move on. But after the animals started to become a safety hazard, the agency was contacted.
“We can be thankful the employees of Berlin Lumber did the right thing and left the raccoons alone because this albino raccoon will have a chance to thrive in the Pennsylvania forests where it belongs,” the post states.
The commission urged members of the public this spring to leave wildlife alone and in its natural setting. Many animals leave their young in search of food but remain close by and return.
Interacting with young wildlife can be dangerous or harmful to both people and animals. Wild animals can lose their natural fear of humans, which would affect their ability to survive. People could risk contracting diseases or parasites.
Anyone with questions can contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission at 1-833-PGC-WILD.
