Hairless animals spotted in a waterfront park in Songdo, Incheon, are believed to be raccoons infected with mange, a parasitic disease that causes fur loss, local reports said Sunday.
According to Yonhap News, residents reported sightings of the creatures, which had only their heads and tails covered with fur, on Wednesday and Thursday near a high school walking path. Despite the presence of people, the animals did not immediately flee. Instead, they slowly retreated into the bushes.
Seo Moon-hong from the National Institute of Biological Resources confirmed that the animals were likely raccoons suffering from mange. "Infected raccoons often appear hairless and can be mistaken for other creatures," Seo told Yonhap. He added that the disease could spread rapidly among local raccoons, as they tend to live in groups.
Professor Jung Dong-hyuk from Chungbuk National University also noted that while the disease poses little risk to humans, it can spread quickly among raccoons in close contact. In response to the sightings, local authorities have advised residents to keep a safe distance from the animals.
