A solitary raccoon in Toronto caused a power outage for approximately 7,000 individuals in the downtown area on Thursday evening, bringing attention to the tense relationship between residents of Canada’s biggest city and the controversial “trash pandas.”
The power company in Ontario, Hydro One, reported on Thursday evening that a raccoon came into contact with equipment at a station in the downtown area, causing a widespread blackout in the city. The power outage also caused disruptions to subway service and stopped water flow. The fire department in Toronto stated that the outage resulted in people being stuck in elevators.
The outage started at about 7.40pm but was fully resolved three hours later, according to outage maps.
The person responsible, whose future is uncertain, will inevitably become another well-known Toronto raccoon, joining the ranks of the doughnut thief, the subway freeloader, the baseball enthusiast, the airport traveler, and the financial expert.
In the past few years, Toronto has engaged in a battle against cunning mammals, but ultimately had to reluctantly admit defeat.
The persistent resilience of raccoons, able to thrive in the chaotic environment of city life, has made them beloved by half of Toronto’s population, leading to suggestions that they become the city’s official mascot. However, the other half of residents, as revealed by a poll, believe they should be put to death. “They are the creatures we have a love-hate relationship with,” stated Suzanne MacDonald, an expert in animal behavior.
Although the city is known for its tall buildings and congested roads, it is also a habitat for a surprisingly diverse range of creatures. These animals typically live their lives without fear or concern for the millions of people living alongside them. Coyotes roam the city’s parks and ravines, deer wander through residential areas, and even a beaver was recently seen carrying a large branch in the downtown area.
The day after the city was left in darkness, it is uncertain if the raccoon, whose death has not been confirmed, will receive a candle-lit vigil on the sidewalk. This is a ritual in the city for mourning deceased animals, although it is not officially sanctioned.
Source: theguardian.com
