Patrick Greenfield

1 week ago | theguardian.com | Patrick Greenfield

In Kassel, everyone has a story about raccoons. Some struggle with a family of them that moved into their roof and simply will not leave. Others recount how a picnic in the park turned into an ambush as gangs of the black and white animals, known in Germany as Waschbären, raided the food. Almost everyone seems to have a neighbour who feeds them, to the annoyance of the entire street. “We are the raccoon city.

1 week ago | msn.com | Tess McClure |Patrick Greenfield

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1 week ago | theguardian.com | Tess McClure |Patrick Greenfield

Insects are in trouble. Around the world, scientists are reporting catastrophic declines in their numbers, even in nature reserves that are largely protected from human touch. We are also beginning to see huge drops in the populations of other animals – such as birds – that depend on insects as food. Many of the drivers of those declines are structural, and require strong action by governments to turn around. But there are clear, easy steps that anyone can take to support the insect world.

2 weeks ago | theguardian.com | Patrick Greenfield

Posing for selfies on the laps of excited visitors, the otters of Tokyo’s animal cafes have learned to play their part in their online stardom. In thousands of social media videos, the aquatic mammals wriggle through the outstretched hands of adoring customers who reward their attention with food.

2 weeks ago | inkl.com | Patrick Greenfield

Customers stroke sleeping otters at a cafe in Tokyo, March 2019. The growing popularity of the cafes is causing concern among conservationists. Photograph: Noriko Hayashi/New York Times/Redux/eyevine Posing for selfies on the laps of excited visitors, the otters of Tokyo’s animal cafes have learned to play their part in their online stardom. In thousands of social media videos, the aquatic mammals wriggle through the outstretched hands of adoring customers who reward their attention with food.