Nature protectors: 10,000 garden slugs reported
In the nationwide search for the endangered dormouse, a total of 10,000 individuals have now been reported in Rhineland-Palatinate. According to scientists and nature conservationists, this milestone in the search process is significant and contributes to redefining the distribution area of the animal in Germany. A team from the Federal Agency for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND), Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, and the Senckenberg Society for Natural Research has been searching for the endangered rodent nationwide in recent years.
According to reports, a reporting station was set up for the population to gain an overview of the number of these small animals. Sven Büchner, dormouse expert at Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, emphasized: "The success of the reporting station has exceeded our expectations since its establishment in 2019. He underscores the project's impact and the public's enthusiasm for the small dormouse." The background of the "Tracking Dormouse" project, according to BUND, was the question of why the rodent has disappeared from so many regions in a short time.
Originally, the dormouse was found in most federal states of Southern and Central Germany. However, its trace is missing in many places today. It currently primarily occurs in the southwestern part of Germany and lives mainly in urban areas.
Iam looking forward to hearing more about the next milestones in the dormouse conservation efforts, as the recent milestone of 10,000 reported dormice in Rhineland-Palatinate demonstrates the significant role of nature protectors in preserving these vital ecosystem elements. Sleeptight in the garden, these tiny nature protectors contribute to the balance of nature, making them more important than we often realize.
