Calgary's raccoon population is steadily growing, though the striped creatures remain far more elusive than their garbage-raiding relatives in Toronto. According to iNaturalist, a citizen science tracking website, more than half of Calgary's 37 reported raccoon observations have occurred between 2023 and 2025. Most sightings have been concentrated in Fish Creek Provincial Park and Weaselhead Flats rather than residential areas.

Wildlife biologist Sara Jordan-McLachlan told CBC News that raccoons have likely been breeding in Calgary for at least two decades and face different challenges than their eastern counterparts, including competition from coyotes and bobcats. "In places like Toronto, they're kind of the apex predator in the urban environment," she said. "But here, there's a lot of other competition."

Dr. Shelley Alexander, a University of Calgary wildlife expert, warned that the city's habitat makes conditions ideal for raccoons to flourish. "People get up in arms about coyotes but they are really simple to live with compared to something like a raccoon — a raccoon has little hands that can open your garage door and aid climbing walls," Alexander told the University of Calgary in 2023. She urged Calgarians to develop coexistence strategies now, before populations reach levels seen in other Canadian cities.