BC Conservation Data Centre: Conservation Status Report
Procyon lotor
Raccoon
| Scientific Name: | Procyon lotor |
|---|---|
| English Name: | Raccoon |
| Provincial Status Summary | |
| Status: | S5 |
| Date Status Assigned: | |
| Date Last Reviewed: | March 14, 2025 |
| Reasons: | This adaptable species is found commonly over a wide range in southern BC, and has increased in range, with few threats. |
| Range | |
| Range Extent: | G = 200,000-2,500,000 square km |
| Range Extent Comments: | This species is found across the southern third of BC including Vancouver Island. It also occurs on Haida Gwaii where they were introduced (and thrived). They have been recorded as far north as Prince George and east to the Central Kootenays and in Yoho National Park for a range extent of approximately 520,000 km2 (GBIF, accessed 20 February 2025). |
| Area of Occupancy (km2): | U = Unknown |
| Occurrences & Population | |
| Number of Occurrences: | E = > 300 |
| Comments: | There are nearly 2500 records in GBIF (accessed 20 February 2025) and over 3000 records in iNaturalist, with many areas unsurveyed. Therefore, an estimate of over 300 EOs is reasonable. |
| Number of Occurrences with Good Viability / Ecological Integrity: | Rank Factor not assessed |
| Number of Occurrences Appropriately Protected & Managed: | Rank Factor not assessed |
| Population Size: | U = Unknown |
| Threats (to population, occurrences, or area affected) | |
| Degree of Threat: | U = Unknown |
| Comments: | Threats include roadkill, industrial development and trapping of nuisance animals; however, the overall threat is likely low based on their increasing range and adaptability. |
| Trend (in population, range, area occupied, and/or condition of occurrences) | |
| Short-Term Trend: | U = Unknown |
| Comments: | Anecdotally this species is increasing in the short term, but numbers are not available. |
| Long-Term Trend: | I = Increase of >25% |
| Comments: | Before 1972, raccoons were believed to inhabit the islands and coast, with their range thought to be limited to the north and interior by snow and cold temperatures (Hatler et al., 2008). However, they are now frequently spotted as far north and east as the Prince George area (GBIF, accessed 20 February 2025). |
| Other Factors | |
| Intrinsic Vulnerability: | Rank Factor not assessed |
| Environmental Specificity: | Rank Factor not assessed |
| Other Rank Considerations: | |
| Information Gaps | |
| Research Needs: | |
| Inventory Needs: | |
| Stewardship | |
| Protection: | |
| Management: | |
| Version | |
| Author: | Ramsay, L. (2025) |
| Date: | February 20, 2025 |
| References | |
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GBIF.org. 2025t. GBIF. Occurrence download for Procyon lotor. Accessed 20 February 2025. |
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Hatler, D.F., Nagorsen, D.W. and Beal, A.M., 2008. Carnivores of British Columbia (Vol. 5). Victoria, British Columbia, Canada: Royal BC Museum.
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Please visit the website Conservation Status Ranks for information on how the CDC determines conservation status ranks. For global conservation status reports and ranks, please visit the NatureServe website http://www.natureserve.org/.
Suggested Citation:
B.C. Conservation Data Centre. 2025. Conservation Status Report: Procyon lotor. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Nov 5, 2026).