Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Raccoon dog: Culprit in COVID origin theory. What’s this animal?

COVID-19 may be linked to raccoon dogs that were illegally being sold at a seafood market in Wuhan, China. That’s according to a team of international researchers.

By Madeleine Brand • Mar 20, 2023 • 7m Listen

COVID-19 may be linked to raccoon dogs that were illegally being sold (for their fur and meat) at a seafood market in Wuhan, China. That’s according to a team of international researchers who analyzed samples of genetic data from the Wuhan market in China in 2020.

This species is neither a raccoon nor a dog — it’s loosely related to a fox. They weigh about 16 pounds, and are native to East Asia, including parts of China, Korea, and Japan.

Madeleine Brand
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Sarah Sweeney
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Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Raccoon dog: Culprit in COVID origin theory. What’s this animal?

COVID-19 may be linked to raccoon dogs that were illegally being sold at a seafood market in Wuhan, China. That’s according to a team of international researchers.

Share

Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Raccoon dog: Culprit in COVID origin theory. What’s this animal?

COVID-19 may be linked to raccoon dogs that were illegally being sold at a seafood market in Wuhan, China. That’s according to a team of international researchers.

Share