APRIL FOOL: Raccoons trained to pick up trash on Longboat

By S.T. Cardinal
| 5:00 a.m. April 1, 2026

April Fools

Longboat Key’s animal control department has announced a new program to reduce litter on the beaches, parks and other public areas. Dozens of raccoons have been captured, trained and given yellow vests to do what they love best: picking up trash.

The raccoons will begin patrolling sidewalks, beaches, parks and around private dumpsters in the coming weeks. Animal Control Specialist Rachel Garbinton said upon discovering the animals can be trained, it was a natural fit.

"They're smart — real smart," Garbinton said. "And have you seen their little hands? It's like they were made for this."

Happy April Fools’ Day from the Observer! This story is not real news. Hope you’re as relieved as we are!

author

S.T. Cardinal

S.T. "Tommy" Cardinal is the Longboat Key news reporter. The Sarasota native earned a degree from the University of Central Florida in Orlando with a minor in environmental studies. In Central Florida, Cardinal worked for a monthly newspaper covering downtown Orlando and College Park. He then worked for a weekly newspaper in coastal South Carolina where he earned South Carolina Press Association awards for his local government news coverage and photography.