https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2023/03/17/1164226694/who-calls-on-china-to-share-data-on-raccoon-dog-link-to-pandemic-heres-what-we-k

"Raccon dog" makes me think of two things:

• neoguri (yum!): https://nongshimusa.com/homev2/our-products/meal-noodle/neoguri/
• Pom Poko ("tanuki-san... tanuki-san!"): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110008/