There have been reports of an animal with hair missing all over its body seen in the city park of Songdo International City, Incheon. Although there were stories that it resembled an unknown creature called "Chupacabra," it is believed to be a raccoon infected with a parasite.
On the 28th, posts were shared on an online community in Songdo about a mysterious hairless animal. The animal described in the sightings was even captured by Yonhap News cameras near a riverside walkway close to a high school in Songdo on the 23rd and 24th. Except for parts of its head and tail, it appeared emaciated and completely hairless.
Seo Mun-hong, an environmental researcher at the National Institute of Biological Resources, explained that the animal shown in the photos and videos taken by Yonhap News is a raccoon infected with a "larva migrans" parasite. The parasite causes itching, leading the animal to scratch its skin continuously and pull out its fur.
Jeong Dong-hyuk, a professor at Chungbuk National University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, also noted, "Although precise diagnostic tests are needed for an accurate diagnosis, it seems highly likely that it is a raccoon infected with larva migrans based on the video. This disease commonly occurs in raccoons."
Larva migrans can spread rapidly among raccoons. This is because raccoons interact frequently enough to create communal latrines. Experts advised against touching or approaching the animal out of curiosity.