Zoo Buddy: Baby Raccoon!

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - Meet this trash panda in training! All jokes aside, Bayou is finally thriving at the Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo.

She’s a baby raccoon, about five weeks old.

General Curator Lisa Taylor says she was found when her mom was killed by a car.

A good Samaritan brought Bayou to the zoo, where she got intensive care to get her feeling well again.

Now, she gets a bottle multiple times a day to continue her growth.

She is still young, so she won’t be on exhibit for a while. Eventually, Taylor says she will be an Education Department animal. She will be considered “no touch” because they can carry rabies. Taylor says Bayou will be vaccinated for rabies, but they want to be as safe as possible.

Raccoons are known for their great vision, hearing, swimming, and dexterity.

Taylor says they can even hear earthworms under the ground!

Another cool fact is that the black on their face serves a purpose. Taylor says it helps keep the glare of the moon or any other light source out of their eyes so they can see better.

You may notice raccoons put their food in water and look like they’re washing it. Taylor says wetting their hands helps them feel the item, and better determine whether it’s a snack or something to leave alone.

These guys are known for rummaging through trash to find food, so always make sure your items are secured to keep them out. If you do see one in the wild, Taylor says you should not approach. Some people do try to keep raccoons as pets, but she says that’s also not advisable. If you are in the market for an exotic animal, she always reminds you to do intensive research to make sure your environment is suitable for the animal.

Taylor says if you see baby raccoons in the wild who don’t appear to have a mom, contact Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries to see if they can get you in touch with a rehabber to save the animals.

While construction continues on the new Louisiana Purchase Exhibit, the Reptile Building is closed. Until then, you can request some reptiles at educational programs or birthday parties or you might just see one at the zoo when staff are taking them on a stroll. Call 318-329-2400 for more information.

Due to weather delays, construction crews believe the new exhibit will be open sometime this spring.

You can also volunteer with the zoo. Contact the Louisiana Purchase Zoological Society through their Facebook page.

The zoo is open every day of the week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can get tickets to feed the budgies, feed the tortoises, ride the boat, or ride the train at the front office.

Click here for a breakdown of their prices.