Northwest Washington includes the counties of Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom. The city of Bellingham, home to more than 92,000 people, boasts 3,000 acres of parks and 71 miles of interurban trails, which not only attract outdoor enthusiasts but provide ample habitat for some of the region's wildlife, including raccoons, squirrels, and skunks. Residents should not be surprised to occasionally cross paths with one or more of these animals. While some wild animals may be interesting to observe, others can become quite a nuisance if they get too close to home, or worse, make their way inside.