raccoons swimming

Racoons spotted swimming in Toronto river looking for fish

It's that time of year again when Chinook and Coho salmon leap through Toronto's rivers as they carry millions of eggs, and it seems the city's trash pandas are taking the opportunity, as they always do, to join in on the fun in search of a snack.

In fact, one Toronto resident spotted multiple raccoons swimming and foraging in the waters where salmon were spawning in Etobicoke this past weekend. 

"Piecing this together... Salmon are spawning up river and dying along the way," wrote George Diavolitsis on Twitter

"Second day we've seen a raccoon swimming and foraging in the water, likely getting it's fill of sashimi. Yes raccoons are very clever animals."

A video posted by Diavolitsis shows a raccoon walking through the rushing waters, stepping from rock to rock, presumably looking to try and catch a fish as they swim by. 

Around this time of year every year, thousands of salmon travel through the city's local rivers to lay their eggs, and many of the fish weigh roughly 20 kilograms and measure more than a metre long. 

Pacific salmon die pretty much immediately after spawning, but their offspring then return to do it all over again the following year. 

This, however, is assuming a clever raccoon doesn't get to them before their journey is complete.

Another video posted by Diavolitsis, meanwhile, shows a different raccoon entirely submerged in the water, seemingly swimming around with purpose. 

In his tweet, the Twitter user remarked that he didn't realize raccoons were actually capable of swimming, but the residents who found a trash panda cooling off in their backyard pool this past summer will likely be the first to tell you the animals are extremely comfortable in the water. 

We also know raccoons will quite literally do anything for a snack, so it's no wonder they're being spotted searching and swimming through Toronto's salmon-filled waters this fall. 

Lead photo by

George Diavolitsis


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

Canada now has universal pharmacare here's how it will affect you

Alleged drunk driver crashes then tries to flee through Ontario police station

Northern Lights took over Ontario skies in rare show and the photos are out of this world

Construction machinery is now tearing down more parts of Ontario Place

Metrolinx plan could send 400 dump trucks through Toronto neighbourhood every day

Ontario companies allegedly charging foreign workers tens of thousands of dollars for jobs

Toronto was just named the best city for young Canadians to work in

People filmed risking lives for social media photos on edge of Ontario's Niagara Falls