Commonwealth_ The Ottawa Baseball Stadium has also been forced to close temporarily by the City of Ottawa due to raccoons taking over the upper deck. Spectators at the recent Ottawa Titans and Sussex County Miners series were surprised to see part of the right field stands cordoned off. The section, the upper right field, has no tickets for sale, indicating an ongoing issue. City officials confirmed that a couple of raccoons had sought shelter in some of the stands on the city’s east end. To protect the animals and patrons in response to the surprise visitors, the Recreation, Cultural, and Facility Services Department was quick to install safety measures.
Already, one raccoon has been relocated to a more suitable natural environment under humane conditions, says department general manager Dan Chenier. A professional wildlife control contractor was summoned to deal with the problem with humane methods. Another trap has been left in place that is intended to determine whether the second raccoon remains in the area or fled on its own.
The decision to cordon off the site was made as a preventive measure to ensure the safety of spectators and workers. Animal interaction with urban wildlife, especially in public areas like sports stadiums, is potentially risky, involving possible bites or disease transmission like rabies. Although raccoons are shy and avoid making contact with people, they have to be treated in a crowded, noisy environment like a baseball stadium to create a reasonable safety concern.
Wildlife experts report that raccoons are clever and very adaptable creatures that seek shelter in isolated or elevated spots, particularly in cities where there is an abundance of food sources and refuge areas. Stadiums, with their isolated nooks and elevated viewing areas, can be favorite dens if the checks are not routine.
This is not the first instance of urban wildlife in Canada disrupting public events. Throughout past years, many cities have had raccoons, squirrels, and even skunks making appearances at sporting arenas or public parks. Such occurrences typically are resolved by the method of humane removal and relocation, with focus placed on preventing future invasions through increased facility maintenance and inspection.
Officials in Ottawa are closely coordinating with the Ottawa Titans organization to have the problem solved as soon as possible. The affected portion of the stadium due to the raccoon infestation will remain closed until the authorities are comfortable that the area is ready for public access. The city did not say when the area would reopen, as they are focused on removing the animals and ensuring the fans’ safety.
Although some may find it a lighthearted anecdote, the incident highlights the ongoing struggle to balance urban wildlife with the needs of growing cities. With natural habitats shrinking and urbanization creeping in, encounters between wildlife and human activity are becoming more frequent. Stadium managers and urban planners may need to reevaluate their inspection procedures and wildlife deterrent programs to prevent future disruptions. In the meantime, Ottawa baseball fans will just have to cheer for the Titans from other sections of seating. The hope is that once the final raccoon is caught or has scattered, the section can be reopened soon, and the stadium can return to having only one kind of wild excitement: baseball.
