Species Protection - Naturschutzers: 10.000 Gartenschläfer gemeldet (
In the nationwide search for the endangered hedgehog, 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 Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND), Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, and the Senckenberg Natural History Society searched 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 small animals. Sven Buchner, hedgehog expert at Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, emphasized: "The success of the reporting station has exceeded our expectations since its establishment in 2019. It underscores the reach of the project and the enthusiasm of people for the small hedgehog." The background of the "Tracking Hedgehog" project, according to BUND, was the question of why the hedgehog has disappeared from many regions in a short time.
Originally, the hedgehog was found in most federal states of South and Central Germany. However, its trace is now largely missing in many places. It currently predominantly occurs in the southwest of Germany and lives there mainly in urban areas.
- The Justus-Liebig-University in Gießen, along with other institutions, is part of a team in Germany that is actively involved in the 'Bundle for Species Protection' efforts in Rhineland-Palatinate, aiming to protect and study endangered species like the hedgehog in nature.
- The city of Mainz, located in Rhineland-Palatinate, has seen an increase in hedgehog sightings, contributing to the total of 10,000 reported individuals in the region, which is a significant level in Germany's hedgehog conservation efforts.
- To expand its Miscellaneous Environmental Protection Programs, the Federal Agency for Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND) is collaborating with various universities and institutions in Germany, including the Justus-Liebig-University in Gießen, to promote awareness and conservation efforts for endangered species like the hedgehog.
- The "Tracking Hedgehog" project, led by Sven Buchner, a hedgehog expert at Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, is not only contributing to the understanding of the hedgehog's current distribution area in Germany but also encourages the population's engagement in nature protection efforts for threatened species.
