The New York Times
On Thursday (16th), scientists unveiled new data on the possible origins of the Covid19 pandemic putting a strange, burly creature squarely in the spotlight.
Meet the raccoon dog. It gets its name from its black facial markings, which give it a masked appearance and a more than quick resemblance to the northern hemisphere’s infamous urban trash can invaders.
The animals have at least occasionally been sold at the Huanan Fish Market, which is where many virologists suspect the start of the Covid pandemic.
Scientists had previously announced that samples from the market had tested positive for the coronavirus that causes Covid. The new data showed that some of these samples contained significant genetic material from raccoon dogs.
The results did not prove that raccoon dogs were infected with the virus or transmitted it to humans. But they are consistent with the possibility that wild animals in the market could have sparked the Covid pandemic.
Find out more about the animal that made the news below.
What are raccoon dogs?
Despite their name, raccoon dogs are not closely related to raccoons. They belong to the Canidae family, which also includes domestic dogs, and are most closely related to foxes.
Raccoon dogs are omnivores, feeding on sources such as rodents and wild berries. Although they appear tapered in the summer, they gain weight in the winter when their fur also thickens. They are the only known canid species to hibernate and are monogamous, often living in pairs.
Where do you live?
Raccoon dogs are native to East Asia, including parts of China, Korea, and Japan, where they are known as “Tanuki”.
They have also spread to parts of Europe, where they are considered an invasive species and are sometimes hunted as pests.
Why are they created and sold?
Raccoon dogs have long been bred for fur production. China is a major producer of raccoon dog fur; In 2014, the country produced more than 14 million furs, 100 times more than Europe, according to one report.
They are also sold for their meat in live animal markets. They were sold in the Huanan market until at least November 2019, researchers reported.
Are they the source of the virus that causes Covid?
Not necessarily. Laboratory experiments have shown that raccoon dogs are susceptible and capable of transmitting the new coronavirus. But that does not mean that they are the natural reservoir of the virus. Even if raccoon dogs from the Chinese market were infected, they could have been intermediate hosts and picked up the virus from bats or other species.
Raccoon dogs and bats were common on some of the farms that supplied the market, the scientists found.
A similar scenario may have played out two decades ago after the emergence of Sars, also caused by a coronavirus. In 2003, scientists found evidence of infected civet cats and raccoon dogs at a live animal market in Shenzhen, China. However, later research indicated that bats are the natural reservoir for the virus that causes SARS. Raccoons appear to be intermediate hosts.
Can I pet a raccoon dog if I see one?
It’s probably not a good idea, but it’s tempting. In addition to Covid, animals are known carriers of other diseases, including rabies. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommends that raccoon dogs should not be kept as pets.
Translated by Luiz Roberto M. Gonçalves