The number of raccoons caught each year in Tokyo has increased around fivefold in the past decade, causing damage to crops in suburban areas and raising concerns over the invasive species' impact on the ecosystem.The omnivorous animals, which are subject to extermination measures, are native to North America and went wild after those kept as pets escaped or were abandoned, according to the Environment Ministry.Known for being highly adaptable to their environment and rabid breeders, raccoons are believed to have spread mainly in the hills of the western part of the capital's wider metropoli…READ FULL ARTICLE
