Rampaging raccoons: how the American mammals took over a German city – and are heading across Europe

A group of raccoons come out after dark in Kassel. Many in the city have embraced the animals: several sports teams have adopted their name and people are careful to check under their cars to avoid them coming to any harm. Photograph: David Hup

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. They are everywhere,” says Lars, a Kassel resident, as he tends his allotment by Karlsaue park in the fading light.