zeit.de
Erfurt Wildlife Project Shows Success in Boosting Hare and Partridge Populations
A German conservation project in Erfurt's agricultural region shows increased populations of hares (from 15 to 32 per sq km) and partridges (from 3 to 4 per sq km) between 2022 and 2025, achieved through predator control (125 foxes and 123 raccoons culled in 2024/25 via live traps) and the creation of flowering strips.
- How does the project's approach to predator control—using live traps—work, and how does it impact the overall effectiveness of the conservation strategy?
- The project's success is attributed to a combination of factors, including the culling of predator species (125 foxes and 123 raccoons in 2024/25) using live traps and the presence of multi-year flowering strips along field edges providing additional food and shelter. These strips support insects and other animals crucial to the partridge and hare food chain.
- What specific population increases of hares and partridges have been observed in the Erfurt wildlife conservation project, and what immediate consequences result from these findings?
- A wildlife conservation project in Erfurt, Germany, focusing on partridges and hares, has shown positive results. Between 2022 and 2025, the average hare population increased from 15 to 32 per square kilometer, and the partridge population rose from approximately 3 to 4 per square kilometer. This represents the highest hare population in years.
- What are the potential long-term implications of this project's success and ongoing criticism, considering the ethical debates surrounding predator control and the broader systemic impacts of intensive agriculture?
- The project's findings support the effectiveness of predator control via trapping in boosting endangered species populations within intensively farmed areas. However, the long-term success hinges on maintaining these conservation measures and potentially exploring further reduction of intensive agricultural practices. Ongoing debate surrounds the ethics of trapping as a conservation strategy.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the project positively, highlighting the increase in animal populations and the effectiveness of the hunting program. The headline (not provided, but inferable from the text) likely emphasizes the project's success. The focus on the numerical increase in hares and partridges, and the high number of foxes and raccoons culled, emphasizes the perceived effectiveness of the hunting approach. This positive framing might overshadow potential drawbacks or criticisms.
Language Bias
The language used leans towards supporting the hunting project. Phrases like "trägt Früchte" (bears fruit) and "erfolgreich" (successful) convey a positive connotation. Describing the culling of foxes and raccoons as a "gezielt Jagd" (targeted hunt) softens the impact of killing these animals. A more neutral alternative would describe the action without subjective value judgments.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the success of the hunting project and the increase in the population of partridges and hares, but omits discussion of potential negative consequences of culling foxes and raccoons on the wider ecosystem. It also doesn't explore alternative methods for protecting these species that don't involve lethal means. The perspective of organizations opposed to the hunting methods is mentioned but not given detailed space to elaborate their position. This omission limits a balanced understanding of the project's impact.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a false dichotomy by framing the debate as either supporting the hunting of predators or opposing the protection of partridges and hares. It simplifies a complex issue by neglecting other conservation strategies and potential trade-offs.
Sustainable Development Goals
The project focuses on increasing the population of endangered species (partridges and hares) by culling predators and improving their habitat. The increase in the populations of hares and partridges directly demonstrates a positive impact on biodiversity and species preservation, contributing to SDG 15 (Life on Land).