There seems to be a recent uproar of raccoon sightings on the L Train and word is spreading like wildfire. We thought we’d investigate a little further to see what all the commotion is about.
After careful examination of the current information on the matter, and by careful we mean searching the phrase ‘raccoon on subway’ on twitter, the results show that a state senator raised new awareness on the issue during a MTA transportation meeting yesterday. Apparently the station in Canarise is a hot spot for the sneaky little creatures.
Senator Persaud urged that the MTA attempt to sort out the situation at hand before it escalates into a bigger problem, because even with some traps and relocation of the furry critters, they always seem to find there way back.
Below we’ve added a few tweets that give a rough outline of the series of events (aka raccoon sightings) that have unfolded over the course of a few years…enjoy.
Persaud was first alerted of the issue back in July…
Raccoon sighted again at E 105th St "L" Train station. @MTA notified.
Thanks to Constituent Rudy C. for sending the picture. Raccoons seem to like using this subway station. #SD19 pic.twitter.com/0ESfVapySY— Roxanne J. Persaud (@SenatorPersaud) July 5, 2018
And thankfully came to the rescue at the hearing on February 19th after concerned constituents reminded her of the problem.
At a hearing on @MTA transportation yesterday, I mentioned that raccoons have been seen at the L train station at E 105 St in Canarsie; brought to my attention by constituents. https://t.co/VYVcu4Uv0P
— Roxanne J. Persaud (@SenatorPersaud) February 20, 2019
The NYPOST jumped on the bandwagon and wrote a totally unexaggerated headline as always…
NYPOST: MASKED MENACE TERRORIZES SUBWAY COMMUTERS
Everyone else: There's some raccoons eating garbage on the L Trainhttps://t.co/BpVeHv0LRG— Sarah Sicard (@thesarahsicard) February 19, 2019
Even back in 2013, the East 105 street station was still thriving with raccoons…
@eyewitnessnyc there's raccoons in Brooklyn too. Picture taken at east 105 street train station on the L line pic.twitter.com/gXkuXssALe
— patpoof (@patpoof) August 1, 2013
Some people were brave enough to help out in dire moments…
So best story ever! My co-worker and I were concerned about a raccoon stuck on the L train line at Wilson. She called animal rescue and..
— Alexis M. Jones, MS (@AlexisMariaJ) March 28, 2011
They saved the raccoon! Sorry for all you L train folk who lost service briefly but we saved the lost raccoon that's been there for a week!
— Alexis M. Jones, MS (@AlexisMariaJ) March 28, 2011
They seem to be getting even smarter and sneakier now, because just last month one of the raccoons managed to activate a train’s brakes!
Update: Brooklyn Bridge-bound 6 trains continue to run express from Hunts Pt to 3 Av-138 St because a train's brakes were activated by a raccoon on the tracks at Longwood Av.
Our crews are on scene waiting for animal control crews to assist the raccoon off the tracks.
— NYCT Subway (@NYCTSubway) January 18, 2019
Will the L Train forever be home to the raccoons?