Gold jackals multiplying in Germany's territory

The Faux-Furry Invaders: Invasive Species Making a Ruckus in Germany and Europe

(A Characteristically Uncensored Guide)

- Gold jackals multiplying in Germany's territory

Maybe it's the unwelcome raccoon party crashing your attic, or the slimy trails of Spanish slugs destroying your lettuce bed - both situations share a common issue. These "party crashers" are invasive species. These are animals that don't naturally roam around Germany or Europe but have discovered a warm welcome here, often disrupting the local ecosystems.

Some of these "foreigners" push out native species - for example, because they fight for food and living space and prove more successful or simply chow down on native animals. Others manage to blend in effortlessly into the local ecosystem.

Currently, an animal species causing quite the stir resembles a wolf and a fox: The golden jackal. Originating from Southeast Europe and Asia, these furry creatures have been spotted in Germany, as per information from Felix Böcker, a wildlife expert from Freiburg working at the Forestry Research Institute (FVA) Baden-Württemberg. Having first been recorded in 1997, these jackals have already produced offspring in Germany, although they are not legally considered "invasive" and cannot be hunted. Felix Böcker, the researcher, claims it remains unclear whether they cause any harm to the local wildlife. Golden jackals are notorious for hunting small and medium-sized mammals.

On the less attractive side, another invasive species caught the spotlight last year: Giant ticks. Individual ticks of the Hyalomma species have been found in Germany, but it's not yet widespread here. Markedly different from the Italian province of Trieste, where these potential disease carriers have already settled.

The Straight-up Uglies: Invasive Species Pose Problems for Native Ecosystems

Some newly introduced species, such as insects, can be venomous or jeopardize harvests, thus posing a major problem. To tackle this issue, there are global programs monitoring invasive species, like the level of the European Union and within Germany.

The migration of animal species from their native habitats is no new phenomenon. It's probably been happening since the dawn of evolution, with animals spreading to locations outside their native habitats, even in the Stone Age.

With the beginning of the Early Modern Period and after Christopher Columbus first set foot on the American continent in 1492, the spread of invasive species hastened around the world. People took animals along on their journeys on a massive scale - whether purposely as pets and livestock, or accidentally as "hitchhikers" on ships or cars.

There might be tens of thousands of animals in Germany and Europe that could technically be classified as invasive species. Below is a small selection of the most notable examples.

Invasive Species:
The American Mink: Although not resembling wolves or foxes directly, American minks are an example of an invasive mammal in Europe. They have made their home in Germany, France, Belgium, and other parts of Europe, causing trouble for native species like the European otter as they compete for resources[#1].
Raccoon Dog: These canines may not look like wolves or foxes, but they are invasive in Central and Eastern Europe. They can spread diseases and compete with native predators for food[#1].
Siberian Chipmunk: These chipmunks inhabit Germany, France, and other European countries, potentially outcompeting native rodents for resources[#1].

Gross and Creepy Crawlies: Ticks

While ticks themselves aren't considered invasive in the same way as larger animals, changes in ecosystems and climate can affect their distribution and prevalence. For example, the spread of certain mammals can lead to increased tick populations thanks to more hosts being available.

The Nitty-Gritty: The Implications on Native Ecosystems

Competition and Predation: Invasive species can outcompete native species for resources and habitat, leading to population declines of native species.
Disease Transmission: Some invasive species can spread diseases to which native species have no immunity. For example, the grey squirrel introduced to the UK has spread squirrel pox, harming red squirrel populations[#2].
Economic Impact: Invasive species can cause significant economic losses by damaging crops, forests, and infrastructure, as seen with the zebra mussel and Asian longhorn beetle[#2].
Biodiversity Loss: Invasive species are among the major drivers of biodiversity loss in Europe, affecting ecosystem services like pollination and nutrient cycling[#3].

Notable Invasive species in Germany

Ailanthus altissima: Known as the Tree of Heaven, it's an invasive plant in Germany and much of Europe, known for its rapid spread and ability to outcompete native vegetation[#5].
Asian Hornet: While not specific to Germany alone, this species has spread across Europe, affecting pollinators like honeybees[#2].

European Regulations

The European Union has introduced the Invasive Alien Species Regulation to address these issues. It aims to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species, early detection, and eradication. This includes maintaining a Union list of species of concern and taking measures to mitigate their impacts[#3].

Enrichment Sources:

#1: Petbook, Ministry of Environment, Climate and Energy in Baden-Württemberg, MDR, NABU, NABU's List of Invasive Species, Bavarian Broadcasting, Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, German Animal Welfare Federation, Avi Fauna - Birds in Germany, Deutschlandfunk Nova, "Agrar Today", NDR, Federal Ministry for the Environment and Nature Conservation, Geo.de, "BZ", Environmental Agency, "Süddeutsche Zeitung", Peta.de, "Hunter's Magazine", "Welt.de", NABU on the Nosferatu Spider, "Tagesschau.de", "Tick Radar"
#2: Petbook, Ministry of Environment, Climate and Energy in Baden-Württemberg, MDR, NABU, NABU's List of Invasive Species, Bavarian Broadcasting, Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, German Animal Welfare Federation, Avi Fauna - Birds in Germany, Deutschlandfunk Nova, "Agrar Today", NDR, Federal Ministry for the Environment and Nature Conservation, Geo.de, "BZ", Environmental Agency, "Süddeutsche Zeitung", Peta.de, "Hunter's Magazine", "Welt.de", NABU on the Nosferatu Spider, "Tagesschau.de", "Tick Radar"
#3: European Union, Invasive Alien Species Regulation
#4: European Union, European Commission - Biodiversity
#5: Forestry Research Institute (FVA) Baden-Württemberg, Freiburg wildlife expert Felix Böcker
#6: Freiburg Model for Early Detection of Invasive Species
#7: European and American Minks, The European Mink, European Mink Ecology and Conservation, Decline of European Otters in Europe, Peer-reviewed Journal on Eurasian Otters
The golden jackal, resembling a wolf and a fox, is an invasive species originating from Southeast Europe and Asia, causing a stir in Germany and other parts of Europe. Despite being a predator of small and medium-sized mammals, it remains unclear whether it poses a threat to local wildlife.
In addition to the golden jackal, there are various invasive species in Germany and Europe, such as the American Mink, Raccoon Dog, and Siberian Chipmunk, all of which can outcompete native species for resources and potentially harm local ecosystems.
Ticks, although not classified as invasive in the same way as larger animals, can pose problems for native ecosystems as changes in ecosystems and climate can affect their distribution and prevalence, leading to increased populations and potential disease transmission.