Danish authorities abandon search for invasive raccoon dog on Fanø

The Danish Nature Agency has called off its attempt to locate an invasive raccoon dog on the island of Fanø using a so-called “Judas animal,” after the tracking female failed to find a mate, DR reports.

A female raccoon dog, fitted with a GPS transmitter, was released on the island in early March with the aim of locating and pairing with a male—allowing authorities to track and eliminate the unwanted species. However, the agency confirmed the female never encountered a male before being recaptured.

“We have recaptured the Judas animal without confirming that she found a mate,” said Peter Bülow, a forest ranger with the Nature Agency in Blåvandshuk.

Officials propose two possible explanations for the failure. “Either the male has left the island again, or another female has arrived and paired with him, making him uninterested in our Judas female—that would be the nightmare scenario,” Bülow said. He considers the first explanation more likely, noting that six wildlife cameras with bait on Fanø have shown no recent raccoon dog activity.

Raccoon dogs, classified as an invasive species, pose a threat to local birdlife by preying on eggs and chicks. A male was spotted on Fanø last August, prompting the tracking operation. Though authorities now believe the island is free of the animals, Bülow warned of potential returns.

“Given the population in Jutland, there’s a high probability they’ll come back. Our task is to stay ahead and catch them before a permanent population establishes itself,” he said.

The Judas female will be redeployed in a similar operation on the island of Funen.