A preliminary survey on raccoon (Procyon lotor (Linnaeus, 1758)) status as new invasive species in Iran (Case study: Lavandevil wildlife refuge)

Invasive species are a major threat to biodiversity and have many adverse effects which cause economic losses. In this study, it was tried to survey raccoon damages in Iran at Lavandevil wildlife refuge. The purpose of this research was to address three main topics: (1) to study the effective environmental factors on raccoon distribution in Lavandevil wildlife refuge, (2) to study some of raccoon effects on their vital ecosystems and communities, and (3) to study local people knowledge of the presence of invasive species and its destructive effects. At first, Ecological Niche Factor Analysis (ENFA) method was used to determine the effective environmental factors on raccoon distribution in Lavandevil wildlife refuge. Also, we studied some effects of raccoon on ecosystems and its vital communities, using scat analysis to determine raccoon diet during four seasons and also diseases like rabies, distemper and parvovirus infection were diagnosed. The results showed that vegetation communities, vegetation density and water resources were important in micro-scale. Garbages had the largest share and fish had the lowest share in raccoon diet throughout the year. Unfortunately, food resources providing and availability for raccoon could pave the way for its population increase in Lavandevil wildlife refuge also and other northern refuges in Iran. Local people in Lavandevil wildlife refuges did not know raccoon as a non-native invasive species and they were not informed of their threats at all. As the first step, managers in the region must duly inform the local people of the matter.