Despite rescue efforts, hairless raccoon dies

A hairless raccoon, who drew comparisons to a chupacabra and Dobby the elf from the Harry Potter books after she was found under a car in Windermere last week, died in her sleep Wednesday night.

“I’m not sure what her message was, but it kind of felt like her message was unity and giving people a reason to care in such a divided nation,” said Debbie Helsel, executive director of Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge in Orlando.

The raccoon likely had either alopecia or a genetic mutation that made her hairless, Helsel said. She was completely bald aside from four little hairs on the tip of her tail. Back to Nature posted photos of her on their Facebook page asking followers to guess what kind of animal she was. Answers ranged from a baby kangaroo to a black bear with mange to a bat without wings.

A volunteer found the 6-pound raccoon under a car Nov. 16. The animal appeared cold and weak. Though she didn’t have the racoon’s usual fluffy gray fur and tiny burglar-style spots around her eyes, refuge workers identified her species by her feet and the noises she made.

The raccoon had an infection, Helsel said, was given antibiotics and eventually sedated to try and help her recover. She moved to Helsel’s living room, where she rested surrounded by blankets and stuffed animals, Helsel said.

Had she recovered, the raccoon would have probably stayed at the refuge to help employees educate visitors, Helsel said. They were saddened by her death, but wanted what was best for the animal.

“No matter what it always has to be in the best interest of the animal, and not the people caring for it,” Helsel said.

The raccoon died in her sleep Wednesday night. A veterinarian will perform a necropsy to try and determine the cause of death, she said.

If you see a raccoon or another wild animal that seems to he sick or injured, keep a safe distance and call your local animal control, Helsel said. You can also call Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge at 407-568-5138.