The Trash Panda Challenge: How Raccoons Outsmarted Toronto City | Wild to Know
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- Опубліковано 11 вер 2023
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The city of Toronto recently spent millions of dollars creating new raccoon-proof trashcans. But they didn’t last long against the so-called “trash pandas”, which were filmed climbing into the containers just days later. So, how did they get in? Known for their flexible human-like fingers, advanced sense of touch, and problem-solving skills, raccoons are remarkably intelligent and also have great memories - ideal for life in urban environments. We find out more about these bandits of the bins, including why it pays to be shy if you’re a raccoon.
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🔗 Sources:
"Amy Dempsey explains why raccoon reporting can be a dirty job" • Amy Dempsey explains w...
"Smart Trash Cans, Smarter Raccoons": sentientmedia.org/better-tras...
"Wildlife management strategies focused on aggressive raccoons may be inadvertently boosting the proportion of more clever ones in cities" www.nytimes.com/2022/09/22/sc...
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Big mistake, raccoon have opposable thumbs like monkey and rats, those are the only animals with somewhat opposable thumbs.
Describing your trash can as raccoon proof is like claiming your ocean liner is unsinkable.
Dark. Lol
We have all night and these nifty little hands...
I have heard there is considerable overlap between the smartest raccoons and the dumbest humans.
😅😅😅😅
Apparently the dumbest humans went into garbage can design and decided to focus on strength and ignore the raccoon's intelligence.
Not quite.
The overlap is between the smartest humans and the dumbest raccoons.
Racoons were probably like: yo they dropped a new update?
🤣🤣🤣
I live in Toronto, and can confirm. Trash pandas are exceedingly intelligent, and we have a vast number of them. The whole "raccoon war" thing is pretty overblown though. Over all, They've pretty much become city mascots. And while yes, they can be mischievous and result in minor to medium inconvenience on a regular basis, for the most part we love our fuzzy little bandits and cohabitate pretty happily with them. It's no coincidence that the Resident Evil franchises' Raccoon City is filmed in Toronto. We are literally Raccoon City.
Thanks for your insights! It's good to know that Toronto is proud to be the Raccoon City ❤️🦝
Why thet they didn't have raccoon zombies ,in raccoon city?
Big mistake, raccoon have opposable thumbs like monkey and rats, those are the only animals with somewhat opposable thumbs.
@@Tailslol Raccoons' thumbs are not very opposable.
Del@@AwakenedAvocado
I live in Toronto and can confirm that these critters are so cool and smart. The new bins have been a huge improvement in my opinion! While there may be a few mishaps, majority of the bins have been doing an excellent job at keeping raccoons out. I personally love having so many raccoons in the city and I think they play an important part in creating healthy and diverse urban ecosystems (in North America at least)...but I am definitely relived that I no longer have to constantly clean my garbage up off the ground after a raccoon stopped by for a midnight snack.
Thanks for your insights! It's always good to hear from someone that is experiencing the situation on a daily basis :)
Yhea, this video gives me a new appreciation for those little fellows.
I wish raccoons were where I live, they seem so adorable, I’m glad you appreciate living in an ecosystem where you can enjoy them!
Plot twist: the raccoons are testing us to observe our problem solving skills
@@fleuroseayeah they're adorable until they nest in your garage and become vicious to protect they're young. Then you have to take them all out
My husband bought me a $100 bird feeder, guaranteed to be squirrel proof. It was but we still found it in pieces. When we read the guarantee details, racoons were the only exception. They disassembled the feeder.
Hi @vickilindberg6336! Raccoons are so smart!
Ohhhh! 😮😮😅
I purchased a suet feeder, installed it in a crabapple tree ( with nice long thorns) with my 6' ladder. It took 3 days for birds to find it and 5 days for it to disappear. I found fur on some of the thorns. I assumed it was coyotes but after seeing this video, may of been raccoons? But I'd think they can maneuver branches without loosing patches of fur...?
It was quite entertaining while it lasted!
I never did find the feeder. Have never tried replacing it.
Hope you have a great day!🕊
Hey at least it's some good enrichment for the raccoons
true that!
The look the raccoon gave the camera after opening the felled bin was priceless!!!
"every time we build a better bin we are also building a smarter raccoon"
and that is how rocket came to be.
"I'm in the Waste Management business! Everybody immediately assumes you're mobbed up! It's a stereotype! And it's offensive!"
- Tony Raccono
You guys are criminally underrated
Thanks for your support! Means the world to us!
Wasting 31 millions to be outsmarted by Racoons? Yeah, this proves that Racoon Federation exists!
Imagine that 🤣
Well they created smarter raccoons
@@magnemoe1
So they’re trying to recreate Raccon from MCU to help them create interstellar shios
🙌 Sly Raccoon in real 😆
Raccoons really did just look at wild bears breaking through trash containers and said "Yeah, we can do that too!"
But seriously, raccoons are pretty great boys; a shame they're vectors for stuff like rabies though.
Raccoons are really furry geniuses!
Rabies is rare in Canada, per Wikipedia, only 4 cases in people in the last 24 years. The bigger cause of death for raccoons though is a type of raccoon distemper. With these diseases it is very obvious the animal is sick and no one should be approaching them anyway.
Raccoons may also transmit a roundworm in their feces that can make people sick, children playing in dirt for example, through gardenin The point is millions of people live near these animals and we aren't all dropping like flies, these are all rare things. We should welcome nature and animals and not fear it.
@@nancyneyedly4587
Not saying we should hunt them either -- on the contrary -- but my point is it's still difficult to be friendly to wild mammals even if they're not hostile unless we know for certain that they're vaccinated.
There are rabies vaccination baits distributed along the U.S. Canada border to protect against U.S. rabid raccoons where the disease is far more prevalent. Rabid raccoons are extremely rare within Toronto's raccoon population of 200,000 raccoons. Distemper is a greater problem, which can be transmitted to pets.
So are humans, yet we put up with their nonsense all the time. 🤔🗑️🐼
Mississauga, next door to Toronto have slightly different bins. Instead of having large dials that are easy to turn, Mississauga has a small knob that is hard to turn. In the decade that we’ve had these bins, I have yet to see the raccoons get in.
Toronto raccoons are creative. In 2019 a Spiderman raccoon was discovered that had climbed 233 meters (758 feet) us the side of a downtown condo tower.
Blimey!
Going on a wee adventure? 😂
Having dealt with these "Toronto Trash Pandas" I really enjoyed this video, factual and FUNNY😂😂😂😂 GREAT JOB.❤
Thanks for the feedback and for watching our video! ☺️
Anything you would like to see next?
We now know who will enherit the Earth. Good luck!
🦝
KLR has a trove of raw footage for more nonsense 😂😂😂❤
The Raccoon Federation!! 👍
Just came across this channel 4 videos ago, and am completely captivated and hooked. Outstanding quality in all aspects! Thank you. ❤❤
Thank you so much! Welcome to our channel ❤️
How does someone murder the pronunciation of raccoon that badly? Absolutely brutal
I swear, these guys have super strength. We had a dumpster that has a very heavy lid, I can barely open it without using two hands and sometimes, when I open it, there seems to be a raccoon trapped or managed to get inside, its always a surprise 😅😅
- Raccoons are wonderful, they deserve to take over the world as the dominant spaces once humans are finally gone.
- Birds are also really clever at opening bins. Angus of Makers Muse single-handedly (and unintentionally) trained a whole flock of cockatoos to be smarter. It (the birds opening bins, not Angus' part in it) made the news several times last year. 😂
It's true, birds are also super smart!
Raccoons are so cute tbh 😊
They are! And so smart! Have you ever had an encounter with one? 😊
They're vicious, have rabies and are full of parasites.
Shy racoons learn faster, just like quiet kids are usually smarter
They're super smart!
They sit back, observe and process.
[Citation needed]
Raccoons will pull out the garbage and just leave it around the bin. Humans scatter garbage everywhere
Raise your hands, if you also love raccoons! 👋🦝🩶
🙌🙌🙌
❤
✋🏾
🙋🏻♀️
🙌🏻
Please don't start to use that AI garbage for making thumbnails of the videos. What's the point, why not just use a photo
Exactly
Outsmarting Toronto Council is not necessarily a mark of great intelligence...
I am going to show them this video.😂
*Two raccoons liked your comment 🦝
I, for one, welcome our new Raccoon overlords.
Love the photography
Trash pandas are awesome and amazing! Love everything about them, even when I have to occasionally clean up after them. I admire their intelligence.
Hi @crp5591! We too! And they look so cute, right?
Amazingly well done movie. I lived in Toronto for 11 years. And I love raccoons.
*I’m floored that the engineers thought that gravity lock was a good idea.*
Did they really truly think that the bin was tip-proof?
Absolutely Adorable I've always loved 🦝my favorite fuzzy friends ❤️❤️
Great choice! 🦝🩶
As a racoon that's recently joined UA-cam, I can confirm that some of my smart friends did in fact crack the code to rhe trash bins...
Reminds me of the birds in the UK getting into milk bottle tops, the "idea" of how to do it spread quicker than the birds could fly, so several had the same idea around the same time.... or birds are psychic.
Yeah, I kinda miss those days. It used to happen all the time as a kid. The Bluetits used to get into the foil topped milk bottles to get the cream.
Bluetits eating cream is a bit weird when you think about it! 😅
I still have a milk delivery now, but mine are semi skimmed so no cream on the top, but they get put into a cooler box too.
Raccoons are the octopus of the mammal world. They will get into anything.
It’s simple, you make a metal trash bin that can only be opened with a sensored key fob that’s transmitting a signal or a magnetic latch or even a code number, and then the lid can be built to open on its own.
Now don’t tell me you’re too lazy to take your key to the trash bin, you use a key for your house and sometimes even a mailbox, atleast a touch key fob with an automatic opening door should take the least time out of your day.
Raccoons challenged German technology.. Wow.
So, Raccoon Federation exist. 😀
Probably! 🦝🏴
I'm not certain outsmarting a government bureaucracy is a stringent test of raccoon intelligence. There's a reason why among engineers the phrase "designed by committee" is derogatory. Interesting report.
When you go out partying on a summer night, you'll find them in every alley. I've had to stop with a group of friends, to let a group of raccoons cross in front of us, and into an alley
@xenoneuronics6765! Love that story! 🦝
Says, "Its physically impossible... lack opposoble thumbs" [Designs a huge crank that requires no thumbs and is opened by our number one move of knocking it over]
Crazy...these critters are smart. Cute.
Hi Vince! Yes, they’re cute and smart!
Worth noting that raccoons in Toronto only have one predator....the automobile. Hundreds are killed by vehicles across the city on a daily/nightly basis. I say daily/nightly basis because many Toronto raccoons are no longer nocturnal, because food sources are available around the clock. No longer uncommon to see raccoons in backyards or strolling the streets at 2:00 PM on a sunny summer day. They are so skilled at finding food, that Toronto raccoons can grow to two or three times the size of a wild raccoon in the forests. With plentiful food and if they can avoid the automobile, they can also enjoy a lifespan considerably longer than their wild forest cousins. The longer lifespan also contributes to their increased intelligence.
I heard a noise out on my porch where I keep my trash can. I turned on the light and walked out on the porch and had three racoons just staring at me as if I had been the rude one by disturbing their meal!
New sub
Great video! I've always loved these clever little bandits. A common and awesome sight wherever I've lived!
Hi, Bryce!
We're happy to hear that! Thanks for watching! :)
what would you like to see next?
@terramater anytime! And I'm a huge big cat fan, and you have many great lion videos especially, and those are my personal favorite animals. I'd love to see dune lions in Namibia! Also bengal tiger footage would be great, especially in Bardiya National Park in Nepal as I don't think I've seen footage of that yet.
I just put a lock on my garbage lids lol.
lol, they some annyoing animals for real. what we do is put used brake rotors on top to make it heavy
Keep them upright is the important part.
I remember back in the day when a good tigh bungee cord would keep raccoons out of the can. I get that most garbage trucks pick up the can with no human contact. We need to invent some type of locking lid that uses a metal bar over the lid perhaps some type of lock with a magnet on it that the hoist on the truck could open the lid with an electromagnet which could b turned on when the can is connected to the hoist and turned off when empty. Idk I'm not an engineer.
Hi Steve! Yeah, if they want to avoid raccoons, they'll def need to think about another idea. 😅
The Raccoon Federation lives on❤
They designed a bin that works between 40 and zero celsius. Great. WTF happens the other 9 months in Toronto?
The Original Pirates of the Binarean! Hoist the Colours!🤣🤣
Raccoons will always outsmart us. Resistance is futile.
Hi @oinka720! Looks like it does!
This is the real evolution.
🤓
Our adorable trash pandas run rings around us. As if to say, try again next time! 😂😊
Hi @NormanF62! heheh. Where are you from? :)
What if you gave them trash, spay/neuter extra ones. Love them!
Please send this story to Last Week Tonight! I'd bet A LOT that John Oliver would love to have it on his show! He might also want some of your other video info! But definitely the Canadian racoon problem!
I just love the air quotes the raccoon was making. I didn’t watch it though.
Raccoons are like
'Ooohhhh a new game..... let's try it outttt ..... foooood... '
Side note: anyone who was born in the 80s remember 'The Raccoons' ? Sweet show with Cyril Sneer as the evil antagonist.
Good guys were the Racoons.
I have seen with my own eyes, a raccoon washing its food.
As German, I'm not surprised that racoons outsmart german engineering. Not that we are not used to racoons.
I swear I think someone matched up a few animals together to make others cause a long time ago cause Racoons literally look like lemurs and are built like foxes. Mix a monkey with a dog you got got this dog like monkey.
The issue is that to make a raccoon proof bin, it would be difficult and tedious for humans to use as well. The bins are required to be used by all Toronto residents, so they have to take into account diffrences in physical abilities of the population.
If they're to difficult for people to use they won't; and they'll complain to City Hall and Queen's Park.
Also, the Toronto sanitation worker's union vetoed several designs due to complex locking mechanisms. If it takes too long to unload a bin, then it slowes collection and increases how long workers take to complete routes. Costing more money and potentially violating union agreements.
The bins also deteriorated quickly. The type of plastic didn't hold up to Toronto's cold (-20°C is common) and the frezze-thaw cycle well. They got brittle and started to break after one or two winters.
Many of the latches were actually broken when people recived them because they didn't hold up to handling well.
All in all, it was (another) massive waste of money on the City of Toronto's part.
Those little heads are packed with neurons. They can figure out a lot. they mastered adapt and overcome
Hi @Christopher-xd5in! They are so cool, right? :)
You would think with a 31 million dollar budget that they would have done prototype tests. I don't believe they tested them for more then a night and then they were like, good!
I love raccoons! I don't live in Canada, but there are tons of raccoons in my neighborhood. I used to have a problem with them getting into my trash until I started putting the used litter from my two cats in a bag on top of the other trash (still in the can though). Now, they ignore my bins entirely.
Hi @cmachinist! Pretty smart from you!
Raccoons outsmarted the city government... Why am I not surprised
I think they're so cute! Not long ago I was having groceries delivered and opened the door to see the lady holding the bags back up and looking a bit worried. I opened the door and she said there was a raccoon under the bush by the door eyeing the groceries, so she was waiting for me to answer the door rather than leave the bags. She said they'd have been into them instantly if she left them on the steps, lol.
Hi @sharonsomers! Looks like they know your grocery shedule. :D
Should’ve did a key lock with the same key so the trash man would be able to unlock it
They’re so cute! Are humans just throwing away a bunch of food? Might as well let them eat it. I suppose it could be bad if they got diabetes though.
They're very cute! Yeah, as we see in the video, they enjoy a good portion of fries. 😅 And another problem is that they leave it a mess afterwards, trash everywhere.
Why not have a battery powered lock (AA batteries with thermoinsulated box to keep the relatively warm). Have an NFC tag based opening system for both the customer and the trashcar driver. I bet raccoons will not bypass the nfc lock if it's sturdy enough.
Or just a push button that requires enough strength
Toronto politicians couldn't outsmart a flea! The raccoons have the place well in hand.
Buying some hats..😊
Well old tek works great good old bungee cord 😝
This video brings me so much joy. That first racoon may as well have looked straight into the camera and grabbed his nuts.
5:49. The designers mostly focussed on strength, and largely ignore their intelligence? Good grief. People got paid for that? The hallmark of pandas of the trash persuasion is their intelligence. I hope not too much tax money got wasted on that.
Hi @jasondashney! That's so nice to hear! And yes, the raccoon which looked straight into the camera is just the best!
I saw a big Raccoon in Coney Island Brooklyn 2 nights ago. He took his time walking away from me, no fear, king of the trash!
Because setting aside land or leaving food scraps for these creatures would be too hard 😪
Anybody that lives around Raccoons knows how smart and persistent they are. I' m surprised they didn't test their trash binns more. Raccoons have become successful in Germany. .. hurting some of their wildlife.
Hi @od1452! We were surprised too!
Introduced range should include central Spain, I'm afraid...
5:21 "researchers observed that docile raccoons were more likey to learn how the devices worked" & 5:35 "The shy raccons are better learners than agressive ones". So the nerds. The shy, quiet, smarty pants nerd raccoons figured it out, not the bold, aggressive raccoons😉.
So, the raccoons involved in the R&D were savvy enough not to let humans know their efforts were in vain.
They work together better than humans do.
There is an easy solution. Underground containers. My city use them. They are locked, only can be opened with a key card. Then you put you trash in a kind of tumbling ton. When you close the lid, the ton turns, and the trash fell in the underground bin. So it’s not possible to come in contact with all the trash.
Imagine if raccoons somehow got inside and now were trapped underground with all the trash..
@@themonsterunderyourbed9408 they can’t. That’s impossible.
I don't know much about Raccoons (apart from "The Raccoon Federation" of course), but designing a bin which you can open easily if it falls over, seems a bit silly, does it not?
Neah you should invent a box with a smart 🔐 for keeping the trash like how the cards you get at hotels work that open your room. And the trash collectors that come to empty your trash bin to have the same card. Basically all the trash bins to have the same card code for opening. 😂 I'll laugh if racoons would get past this. And I'll laugh even harder if in the future the trash bin would open by scanning your DNA to see if it's human or no.😂
Don't challenge them, you'll never know 🤣
How long time require that they learn use key? 😎
Well, play mow, pay later. Those animals will face major health problems like humans. Organ failures will follow by eating highly over processed foods.
Just never throw the food away. Eat it up. Leave nothing for the raccoons to eat. They will have to come directly to you and beg for food. Is it that hard?
This is exactly why they will save our galaxy someday.
Well if people would show some kindness & keep them in their homes as pets, they wouldn't be out there getting into so much trouble.
They are so sweet, they are smart and loveable. ❤
They are smart & sweet! 🦝🤗
Out smarted the local government ? That doesn't take a lot of brain power .
Maybe leave some food out for the varmints, and they wont try to get in the trashbins. Poor little things, they're stahvink
Why are raccoons smart, while our politicians are stupid?
THEYRE SOOOOO CUTE
I grew up in Toronto, as a child, I was attacked on a few occasions by these creatures! We put those gate latches on the bins with locks ... never had a problem after that. Cost less than $10 ... Toronto wastes A LOT of money!
Never did like Raccoons much after that, but they're not as bad as Skunks though! Now I live on Vancouver Island, still Raccoons... but No Skunks!! Lil stinkers can't swim! Hahaha
Maybe instead of putting food waste in the regular bin, everyone could leave it out in a bowl for the raccoons? No more spilling trash all over the street, no food goes to waste and the raccoon families get fed?
raccoons are great at opening things but they suck at crossing the road.