First record of the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in the Croatian parts of Dinarides

Sažetak The native range of the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) extends across eastern Siberia, Mongolia, Vietnam, China and Korea. In Europe, the raccoon dog was introduced to the former USSR during the period 1934-1953 for fur, from where it spread to the west. It is recorded in over 25 European countries and it was listed amongst the 100 most invasive species due to predation on birds and amphibians, competition with native species and primarily as vector of zoonoses. In Croatia, specimens were recorded in the beginning of the 1980s in the eastern part of the country. Afterwards, no presence in Croatia was recorded, although species’ features include adaptability, hibernation, high reproductive and migratory potential, as well as efficient gene flow between populations. In surrounding countries, racoon dog is present in Hungary and Serbia. In Slovenia, it was recorded in 1980 with some recent individual findings. In Mrzle drage (HTRS96 E369639, N5022343) near Mrkopalj, raccoon dog was recorded by phototrap, which is the first record in the upland part of Croatia and in this part of the Dinarides. Other signs of presence were not recorded, therefore we assume that it was a migrating individual. There are few possible scenarios regarding the origin of this individual: escape from breeding farms, illegal introduction and spread by migration, which would be a confirmation of predictions that raccoon dog will spread southward. For successful control and eradication, coordination of responsible authorities of surrounding countries is necessary. We recommend monitoring of this species presence in Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also in NE Italy and urgent actions in case of population establishment.