Animals - Conservationists worry about wolves and lynx in Bavaria
Wolf and foxes continue to face difficulties from a nature conservation perspective in Thuringia. The wolf population in the free state is reportedly at a "critical level" with five wolf territories, one pack, two pairs, and two solitary individuals, according to the Thuringian branch of the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (Nabu). In the 2022/23 period, there were still two packs. Nabu refers to monitoring reports from the Thuringian Ministry of the Environment.
"The main reasons for the stagnation of wolf expansion are primarily losses due to road traffic," said the leader of the Nabu Fox Project, Silvester Tamás. Since the return of the wolf in 2013, eight wolves have been killed on Thuringian roads. In addition, there is a lack of acceptance in certain population groups, which also leads to illegal killings.
Only four foxes in the free state
Moreover, only four resident foxes were detected in Thuringen in the 2023/2024 period - two years ago, there were still six. "Despite Thuringia being directly adjacent to the Harz, a hotspot for fox populations in Central Europe, it seems that the animals are unable to establish a permanent and secure residence in Thuringia," explained Tamás.
In recent years, dead foxes with gunshot wounds have been found frequently. "These heinous crimes must be investigated and punished consistently," demanded Tamás.
The Thuringian branch of NABU, the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union Germany, has expressed concern over the critical state of the wolf population in Erfurt, the capital city of Thuringia. This free state is home to only five wolf territories, one pack, two pairs, and two solitary individuals.
Additionally, Lynxes, the large wild cats, have not been sighted in Thuringia's wilderness for many years, highlighting the importance of NABU's work in wildlife conservation in this region.
The Environment Ministry of Thuringia, in collaboration with NABU, is actively working to improve the situation for animals, including wolves and foxes, by implementing measures to reduce road accidents and promoting acceptance of these species among local population groups.
Tamaš, the leader of NABU's Fox Project in Thuringia, stressed the need for Nature Conservation Association Germany to take strong actions against illegal killings of animals, as evidence of dead foxes with gunshot wounds has been found regularly in the region.
