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LOFALL, Wash. (AP) — Raccoons are to blame for the pollution in a northwestern Washington creek.
The Kitsap Sun reports (http://bit.ly/291zwus) officials have been trying for more than a decade to solve the mystery behind fecal bacteria in Lofall Creek.
A recent collaboration with the University of Washington's Tacoma-based Center for Urban Waters tested for compounds usually found in human waste that come from products like antibiotics.
The compounds were almost nonexistent in the creek. This pointed to an animal source that health officials tied to complaints of neighborhood raccoons.
Health officials hiked along the creek and found baby raccoons and plenty of feces along the banks.
The health district is planning an educational campaign to help residents deter the animals.
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Information from: Kitsap Sun, http://www.kitsapsun.com/
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