Editor's note: As protection of the planet's flora, fauna and resources becomes increasingly important, China Daily is publishing a series of stories to illustrate the country's commitment to safeguarding the natural world.

Human-wildlife conflict in Shanghai has dropped significantly as the city's raccoon dog population stabilizes between 3,000 and 5,000 individuals, according to the latest survey data.

While the protected species is expanding into new districts, localized densities in residential areas have fallen to record lows, driven by improved waste management and public education, a survey published on Nov 30 by the Shanghai Forestry Station, Fudan University, and the Shan Shui Conservation Center shows.

Despite their "bandit mask" markings, raccoon dogs are not actually raccoons. Instead, they are ancient members of the Canidae family, making them cousins to foxes and wolves. Native to East Asia, they are the only members of the dog family that hibernate during the winter.

Though their numbers have declined in Shanghai, they are still spreading and migrating in the coastal metropolis, with the city's Putuo district recording their presence for the first time last summer, and Chongming Island recording them for the first time a year ago.

"These changes can mainly be attributed to the improvement in the ecological management, including community waste disposal and stray cat feeding over the past three years, and the deepening of public education and outreach," said Wang Fang, director of the Institute of Biodiversity Science at Fudan University.

"Also, the sense of security provided by real survey data has been key in changing the perceptions and attitudes of many in the public. A rising number of residents are adopting the mindset of coexistence, as the population of the animal is under control and poses no direct threat to humans," he said.