Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Nevins Street Subway Raccoon Unimpressed With NYPD's Food Offering, Snubs Cage
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 27, 2019
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Nevin Singh / Gothamist
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 27, 2019
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
When the Elusive Nevins Street Raccoon™ was seen on December 18th, an excited subway rider told fellow commuters that he was going to give the animal "a snack." But as we reported, "The trash panda wasn't interested... [and] scampered toward the tracks." So when the Raccoon was spotted again on Thursday, the MTA was ready with a plan to catch this picky eater, a plan that involved a buffet:
Seth Gross spotted the raccoon on Thursday at around 5:15 p.m., when he was transferring from the 4 train to the 2 train at the station. "I saw the raccoon from the train and actually said out loud, ‘Hey do you people see that there's a raccoon on the subway platform?’" he said. "Everyone ignored me as that's what you expect in New York. I got off the train and saw the raccoon there."
Gross stopped to take a few photos—one other person was also taking pictures—before walking down the platform. He spotted some police officers. "I said, 'Hey I don’t know if you’re aware of this but there’s a raccoon on the subway platform at the other end'—and they said, ‘Oh, he’s back!’ and they just kind of jumped into action and went in that direction."
The raccoon on December 26, 2019
Courtesy of Seth Gross
Members of both the NYPD and MTA tried to corral the Trash Panda on Friday, according to the Post, by offering a "cage stocked with plantains, chicken and a bagel." The Raccoon "did make it into the cage at one point — only to evade capture when police tried to shut him in."
MTA employees have reportedly named it Chepe: "Transit workers say the raccoon, who has dug himself in near the station’s break room, has been living in the station long enough to earn the nickname Chepe." The workers also helpfully pointed out to the Post, "He usually comes out, he’s just scared of the train noise."
Here's video of Brooklyn's most famous and elusive Raccoon:
Gross described the raccoon as looking "bedraggled." He added, "I felt sad that it has to live in the subway... It seemed like no place for a raccoon." He hopes that if the raccoon is captured, he can be released into the wild.
Anyway, there are now Very Good Subway Announcements With The Raccoon:
Tagged
we the commuters
raccoon
Nevins Street
subway
trash pandas
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
A big, bright Saturn will be the highlight of NYC's fall stargazing season
Stargazers will have a great view of Saturn and two meteor showers in October.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Published Oct 3, 2026 at 6:00 a.m. ET
NYC tow companies busted for ripping off drivers must give $67K in refunds, city says
Mayor Mamdani has expanded enforcement on towing scams, but the unlicensed towing industry remains largely unregulated.
By
Liam Quigley
News
NYC tow companies busted for ripping off drivers must give $67K in refunds, city says
Mayor Mamdani has expanded enforcement on towing scams, but the unlicensed towing industry remains largely unregulated.
By
Liam Quigley
Off-duty NYPD officer stabbed in the Bronx, police say
By
Ryan Kost
DOC negligence factored in death at Rikers' Bellevue hospital outpost, jail officials say
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Conductor on NYC subway that dragged man to death may have skipped safety check, source says
By
Stephen Nessen
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .