Nile geese in Frankfurt: Experts warn of unchecked spread

Nile geese in Frankfurt: Experts warn of unchecked spread

In Frankfurt, the Nile geese have long since become a topic of conversation. The intrusive birds, which are increasingly spreading in the city, bring some residents to despair. While a control measure was at least partially successful in the Ostpark, there is now a real goose plague in the light and air bath in Niederrad, which seems to be difficult to curb. No fence is possible here that could prevent the birds from settling down. Ornithologist Oliver Weirich, who has collected valuable data with a two -year monitoring in Wiesbaden, sees the experts important and demands radical measures, including hunting.

The geese are occasionally regarded as the "holy cows" of nature, and in parts of the public and politics there is a predominantly positive attitude to them. However, this perception contradicts the current challenges that the Nile geese represent for urban nature and the ecosystem. Weirich is certain that the supposed harmlessness of the Nile geese is misleading. His observations indicate that the population of the Nile geese has established itself in the parks and spreads at the expense of the home bird species.

The need for "letaler scare"

He has found that one -time intervention in the form of hunting is often not sufficient. Although the number of Nile geese could be reduced at times in one place, this was not a long -term success, since soon afterwards new geese from other areas would move up. Weirich therefore proposes a permanent strategy known as "lethal scan". This would mean that regularly selected individuals are killed in order to make the settlement in certain places unattractive.

His argument is simple: Due to a constant presence of a hunter who regularly kills a goose, the other animals learn that this area is dangerous. Goose react sensitively to hunting and tend to change their breeding behavior if they are pursued in areas where they are perceived as annoying. This could reduce the population in the long term in these places.

Another approach to combat the Nile Guard, which Weirich leads, is the design of the habitat. Nile geese prefer lawns near waters for the rearing of their chicks. By adapting this area to natural conditions, for example by planting high -saxes and shrubs, you can reduce the attractiveness of these places for the geese and at the same time improve biodiversity.

in Wiesbaden has already been set up in feeding the bonuses to bring the population closer to the disadvantages of feeding Nilgänen. Feeding with bread promotes the geese and harms the domestic stick chick. However, despite education, there are always people who violate the bans of feeding, which sabotages the efforts to control the Nilgans population. Weirich is convinced that the clarification of the consequences of feeding is crucial, even if he has hope that this behavior will decrease at some point.

The question remains whether the Nile geese move south in winter. Weirich reports on his own observation in Wiesbaden, where he has found various population numbers over the year. It is actually the case that Nilgäse linger in the area in winter and do not move to southern realms. Instead, they use the nutritious areas that are available in the cold season.

and so it remains to be seen, as the city of Frankfurt, supported by experts like Weirich, reacts to the Nilgans problem. It is clear that a rethink is necessary to find a balance between urban life and natural behavior and at the same time protect the biodiversity of the region.

Kommentare (0)