Twice, in the span of a week, we have found an adult raccoon dead in our basement window well. The window well is very shallow, only about 6 to 8 inches deep. The well in question is next to our driveway gate, and when the wooden gate is open (most of the time), it creates a more private space in the window well, but does not block it completely. By all appearences, it seems that the raccoons have just curled up and died. My husband got rid of the first one (I didn't ask how or where), and then a few days later, we have a second one. Could this be a disease of some kind? Do we need to worry? It seems awfully strange to find them dead in this way, and I don't know who to call about them. I'm afraid to have him go near the 2nd one to get rid of it. Thanks for any help you can provide.

It is strange to have two in the span of a week. Did either animal appear to have trauma? I am wondering if the animals were maybe hit by passing cars and pulled themselves to a quiet place but did not survive the injuries. In some cases the animals do not appear to be injured, but there is internal bleeding. Or, it is possible that both animals were sick. Without having them tested, there is no way to determine cause of death. I would recommend wearing plastic gloves, double bag the raccoon in garbage bags, dispose of the gloves in the same bag, and put it in the trash. Wash hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water when finished. If there end up being more dead raccoons, I would contact your local Illinois Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologist. Their contact information can be found on the Find a Wildlife Professional page of this website. Please let me know if you have more questions.

We live in a remote area and have found four dead raccoons in the period of a month near our house. Any ideas what could be causing them to die in a group like they are?