Partridge, Elks and Squirrels – Wildbrücke News #8

Die Zeitung über
Wildtiere
Wildbrücke
ildbrücke
WNEWS
issue
#8
Symbolfoto Eichhörnchen: iStock.com/MartinJGruber / Verlauf: [@tenate-arte] via Canva / Sprachen ​Illustration: iStock/VectorStory
Impressum: Wildbrücke Medien | Stephan Jonetzko | Kronberger Str. 5 | 65510 Idstein | Webseite: www.wildbruecke.de | Feedback: info@wildbruecke.de

Wildlife in Germany
Partridge is Bird of the Year 2026
Symbolbild: iStock/drakuliren
The decision has been made: The Bird of the Year
2026 has been chosen. After several weeks of
voting, conducted by NABU (Nature and Biodiversity
Conservation Union) together with the
Landesbund für Vogelschutz (LBV, State Association
for the Protection of Birds), the winner
has been chosen. As NABU announced on its
website, this year‘s winner clearly prevailed over
the four other candidates – blackbird, partridge,
barn owl, long-eared owl, and little grebe.
According to NABU, the aim of the campaign is to
raise awareness of endangered species and bring
their habitats into the public spotlight. Each of
the nominated bird species represents a specific
conservation theme, which the title „Bird of the
Year“ is intended to draw greater attention to.
The public vote, which has been open to everyone
since 2021, has developed into an important
platform for environmental education, according
to the LBV. Over 100,000 people participated
this year. NABU emphasizes that every vote
is a sign of support for species conservation
and biodiversity – and that the campaign helps
raise public awareness of endangered species.
The new „Bird of the Year“ will now be the
focus of numerous activities and information
campaigns for a year. Schools, clubs,
and conservation groups are invited to
design projects centered around the winner
and highlight its ecological significance.
The announcement marks the end of the 2025
election campaign, which we previously reported
on in Wildbrücke News #5. This time, too, it
demonstrates how strongly interest in topics related
to nature and wildlife is growing in Germany.
Quelle: NABU – „Vogel des Jahres 2026: Gewinner steht fest“, offizielle Mitteilung
zur Bekanntgabe, abgerufen am 08.10.2025:
https://www.vogeldesjahres.de, abgerufen am 10.10.2025 um 05:41 Uhr

Wildlife in Germany
Wild horses at the Hambach open-cast mine: Between freedom and care
Symbolbild: iStock/waeske
Wild horses are once again living on the edge
of the Hambach open-cast mine in North
Rhine-Westphalia. The animals, mostly of the
robust Konik type, graze on the reclaimed land
of the so-called Goldene Aue on Sophienhöhe.
The goal of the project is to keep the area open
through natural grazing and thus create habitats
for numerous animal and plant species.
As the information portal Neuland Hambach
reports, the grazing project is part of the
renaturation of the former lignite mining
area. The wild horses are helping to ensure
that meadows and open areas develop instead
of becoming overgrown with woody
plants. Similar grazing projects with Konik
horses are also being used in other parts of
Germany to promote species-rich landscapes.
According to the Research Center for Recultivation,
three foals were born on Sophienhöhe
this summer – a sign that the animals have
settled in well in their new environment.
The herd‘s development is being scientifically
monitored to gain insights into the
horses‘ behavior in a semi-natural habitat.
The project demonstrates how formerly industrial
landscapes can be transformed back into
near-natural habitats. The wild horses symbolize
the transformation
of the Rhineland
mining area—from
a mining area to a
diverse ecosystem.
Quelle: Neuland Hambach – „Pilotprojekt: Wildpferde auf der Sophienhöhe“,
abgerufen am 08.10.2025 um 07:29 Uhr:
https://www.neuland-hambach.de/aktuelles/artikel/pilotprojekt-wildpferde-aufder-sophienhoehe
Forschungsstelle Rekultivierung – „Beweidung Sophienhöhe“, abgerufen am
08.10.2025 um 07:29 Uhr:
https://www.forschungsstellerekultivierung.de/Startseite/Biodiversitaet/Beweidung-Sophienhoehe
Spiegel – „Wildpferde am Tagebau Hambach: Mäher mit Mähne“, abgerufen am
08.10.2025 um 07:29 Uhr:
https://www.spiegel.de/deinspiegel/wildpferde-am-tagebau-hambach-maehermit-maehne-a-1c67352b-3891-4345-9471-b5a7d33e3542
wa.de – „Wildpferde leben in NRW am ‚größten Loch Europas‘“, abgerufen am
08.10.2025 um 07:29 Uhr:
https://www.wa.de/nordrhein-westfalen/nrw-lebt-herde-hambach-wildpferde-sophienhoehe-konik-tagebau-rwe-groessten-loch-europas-93146910.html,
abgerufen am 08.10.2025 um 07:29 Uhr

Donkey release in Kazakhstan: Kulan returns to the steppe
Wildlife around the world
Symbolfoto: iStock/gorsh13
In Kazakhstan, the release of donkeys—more
specifically, kulans, a subspecies of the Asian
wild ass—is a significant success for international
species conservation. According to the
Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research
(IZW) in Berlin, several animals have been successfully
reintroduced into the Central Asian
steppe. The project is considered a milestone in
the restoration of the fragile steppe ecosystem.
The project is part of the „Rewilding the Steppe“
program, which is being jointly implemented
by the IZW, the Association for the Conservation
of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (ACBK),
the Committee for Forestry and Wildlife of
the Kazakh Ministry of Environment, and
the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
(RSPB). The goal is to permanently reintroduce
the Asian wild ass into its native habitat.
As the IZW reports, the donkeys were initially
kept in a prepared reintroduction zone to
allow them to acclimatize to the conditions.
They were then transferred to a protected
area of ​approximately 40,000 square kilometers,
where they now live freely. The animals
wear GPS transmitters that allow scientists
to closely monitor their movements and
social behavior. According to the IZW, the
herd has stabilized and is already exhibiting
typical behavioral patterns of wild donkeys.
The reintroduction of the kulan (Equus hemionus
kulan) is an important step towards the
ecological restoration of the steppe landscapes
of Central Asia. These regions have suffered
from overgrazing, intensive agriculture, and
the effects of climate change in recent decades.
„With the return of the wild donkey, we
are laying the foundation for a more resilient
ecosystem that will also benefit other species,“
the IZW explains in its press release.
The long-term project aims to establish a stable
wild population and is considered an example
of modern reintroduction strategies that combine
scientific research, nature conservation,
and regional cooperation. The donkeys not only
symbolize the preservation
of biodiversity
but also the revitalization
of a landscape
once shaped by them.
Quelle: Leibniz-Institut für Zoo- und Wildtierforschung (IZW) – Pressemitteilung:
„Erfolgreiche Auswilderung von Kulanen ist ein Meilenstein für
Wiederherstellung des Steppenökosystems in Kasachstan“, veröffentlicht am 30.
September 2025, abgerufen am 08.10.2025 18:33 Uhr:
https://www.izw-berlin.de/de/pressemitteilung/erfolgreiche-auswilderung-vonkulanen-ist-ein-meilenstein-fuer-wiederherstellung-des-steppenoekosystemsin-kasachstan.html

Zurich restricts leaf blowers – protecting nature and wildlife
Wildlife in Europe
Symbolfoto: iStock/photoschmidt
In the future, only electric leaf blowers will be
permitted in the city of Zurich – and only during
the months of October to December. As reported
by Swiss broadcaster SRF, on September 28,
2025, the population voted by a clear majority
to tighten the current regulations. Gasolinepowered
devices will be completely banned.
The decision was the result of a popular initiative
supported by environmental and nature
conservation organizations such as WWF Zurich.
The goal of the new regulations is to reduce
noise and pollution and to mitigate the impact
on insects, small mammals, and other wildlife.
According to the WWF, leaf blowers not
only generate considerable noise but can
also severely impact soil organisms such
as beetles, earthworms, and spiders. They
destroy microhabitats and remove layers of
fallen leaves, which are vital for the survival of
many animals in the fall and winter. „Leaves
are not waste, but an important part of the
natural cycle,“ emphasizes WWF Zurich.
The restriction to the autumn months is intended
to ensure that the breeding and nesting
periods of birds and small mammals are better
protected in the future. The urban ecosystem
also benefits: The fallen leaves in spring and
summer allow soil organisms and insects to
survive undisturbed in gardens and parks.
As SRF reports, electrical devices may continue
to be used to clean public paths, streets, and
squares – but only during the specified period.
The city of Zurich aims to strike a balance between
urban cleaning and species conservation.
The ban on gasoline-powered devices will
take effect in 2026, making Zurich the
first major city in Switzerland with such
a clear regulation. Experts see this as an
example that other cities could follow.
Quelle: SRF – „Zürich verbietet benzinbetriebene Laubbläser“, Meldung vom
28.09.2025, abgerufen am 10.10.2025:
https://www.srf.ch/news/schweiz/abstimmungen-stadt-zuerich-zuerich-verbietet-laubblaeser
WWF Zürich – „Ja zur Einschränkung von Laubbläsern“, Aufruf und Hintergrund
zur Abstimmung, abgerufen am 10.10.2025:
https://www.wwf-zh.ch/service/news/detail/am-28-september-ja-zur-einschraenkung-von-laubblaesern
FAZ / dpa – „Abstimmung: Zürich erlaubt Laubbläser nur noch im Herbst“,
Agenturmeldung vom 29.09.2025, abgerufen am 10.10.2025:
https://www.faz.net/agenturmeldungen/dpa/abstimmung-zuerich-erlaubt-laubblaeser-nur-noch-im-herbst-110707890.html

Wildlife in Germany
Elks are spreading again in Germany
Symbolfoto: iStock/Photosbypatrik
Encounters with moose in Germany are becoming
increasingly likely. According to the
German Wildlife Foundation, the moose population
in Europe has recovered significantly in
recent years. Sightings like that of the wellknown
„Emil the Elk,“ who migrated through
Austria in the summer and reached Bavaria,
could become more common in the future.
„As the moose population in Europe increases,
sightings in Germany are also becoming increasingly
likely,“ explains Professor Dr. Klaus
Hackländer, wildlife biologist and board member
of the German Wildlife Foundation. Most
of the animals migrate from the Czech Republic
and Poland, where hunting bans and protective
measures have caused the population to rise for
around two decades. Young bull moose, in particular,
regularly search for new territories – according
to the foundation‘s estimates, up to 20
animals currently live permanently in Germany.
Moose prefer natural forests with bodies of
water that provide them with food and refuge.
„Their occurrence in Germany also depends on
whether there are sufficient bodies of water in
which the large herbivores can cool off,“ says
Hackländer. Elk eat up to 40 kilograms a day –
primarily grasses, buds, bark, and aquatic plants.
The greatest threat to the animals is road traffic.
The dense network of roads and settlements
complicates their migration. „Elks don‘t flee
from vehicles, but rather stop to observe the
perceived enemy,“ explains Hackländer. In Sweden,
where around 400,000 elks live, around
5,000 animals die in traffic accidents every year
– collisions have also occurred in Germany.
To ensure that elks can establish themselves
permanently, the German Wildlife Foundation
is calling for the development of wildlife
corridors and green bridges to connect
habitats. „If we succeed in better connecting
wildlife habitats, the elk could once again
become part of our native fauna and enrich
our biodiversity,“ Hackländer continues.
Two meters tall, weighing up to 700 kilograms,
and equipped with powerful, shovel-like
antlers – the elk is Europe‘s largest deer species.
If you would like to learn more about the
species, you can find further information on
its lifestyle and behavior in our moose profile.
Quellen: Deutsche Wildtier Stiftung – Pressemitteilung „Elchbegegnungen in
Deutschland werden immer wahrscheinlicher“, veröffentlicht am 09.10.2025,
abgerufen am 09.10.2025:
https://www.presseportal.de/pm/37587/6134089 (abgerufen am 10.10.2025,
06:10 Uhr).

Safely crossing the street – squirrel bridges in Bavaria
Wildlife in Germany
Symbolfoto: iStock/MartinJGruber
In Bavaria, so-called squirrel bridges ensure
that the little climbers can cross roads safely.
The BUND Nature Conservation Association
in Bavaria (BN) reports that the animals are
increasingly embracing these aerial crossings,
thus preventing numerous accidents.
According to the BN, rope bridges have been
installed over busy roads in several cities, including
Zirndorf, Nuremberg, and Aschaffenburg,
in recent years. The structures are usually made
of weatherproof synthetic hemp and hang
about six meters above the roadway. They
allow squirrels to move from tree to tree without
having to dangerously cross the asphalt.
In a recent press release dated September 26,
2025, the BN Nuremberg City District Group
stated that the measures are successful: Wildlife
cameras regularly document that the animals
are actually using the bridges. They are a simple
but effective protective measure, especially in
areas with heavy traffic or broken tree rows.
„Squirrels are agile climbers, but not good at
crossing roads,“ the statement reads. Every
year, many animals are killed in traffic accidents.
The rope bridges could significantly
reduce this loss. The BN points out that the
project not only serves species conservation
but is also an example of cooperative nature
conservation in cities – because the bridges
are usually planned and financed jointly with
municipalities, road construction authorities,
and local nature conservation groups.
The BN installed its first bridge in 2024 in cooperation
with the city of Zirndorf. At the time, the
goal was to defuse dangerous road sections where
many squirrels had died. According to the BN,
several such crossings are now in place in Bavaria,
and additional locations are being planned.
The association also calls for support for squirrels
in the fall, for example by planting hazel
bushes or setting up water and feeding stations.
During this time of year, the animals are particularly
active and store supplies for the winter.
The projects show how simple measures can make
a major contribution to protecting native wildlife
– and that there is room for nature even in cities.
Quellen: BUND Naturschutz in Bayern (BN) – Pressemitteilung: „Jetzt Eichhörnchen
im Herbst helfen!“, BN-Kreisgruppe Nürnberg-Stadt, veröffentlicht
am 26.09.2025, abgerufen am 10.10.2025:
https://nuernberg-stadt.bund-naturschutz.de/publikationen/pressemitteilungen/
pressemitteilungen-2025/30/2025-jetzt-eichhoernchen-im-herbst-helfen
BUND Naturschutz Bayern – Pressemitteilung: „Seilbrücke rettet Eichhörnchen“,
BN-Kreisgruppe Fürth, veröffentlicht am 20.11.2024, abgerufen am
10.10.2025: https://www.bund-naturschutz.de/pressemitteilungen/seilbrueckerettet-eichhoernchen