The ZOWIAC joint research project investigates how neo-native species threaten biodiversity and what diseases they can transmit to humans or animals.
The Landesjagdverband Hessen e.V. and the Landesjagdverband Bayern – Bayerischer Jagdverband e.V. are among the organisations providing substantial funding for the ZOWIAC project, led by Prof. Dr. Sven Klimpel. Accepting money from wildlife killers is, of course, always a walk on a razor's edge, and speaks to a rather low standard of moral hygiene.
The Deutscher Jagdverband e. V. has now issued a press release on the matter.
Raccoon Has Serious Impact on Amphibians
Goethe University Frankfurt is conducting research on non-native invasive species. The ZOWIAC project encompasses wildlife biology and genetics in equal measure. Norbert Peter explains initial findings in an interview with the DJV.
Norbert Peter is a researcher at Goethe University Frankfurt and one of the directors of ZOWIAC, a large-scale national project funded by the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU). ZOWIAC stands for Zoonotic and Wildlife Ecological Impacts of Invasive Carnivores. In an interview with the DJV, Peter explains, among other things, what effects non-native species have, what role the raccoon plays, and how hunters can support the research project.
DJV: What is the goal of the ZOWIAC project?
Norbert Peter: The outcome of our research is up-to-date, well-founded, and verified data at the federal level. We are investigating, for example, the health risks to the general public as well as to livestock and pets posed by species such as the raccoon, raccoon dog, or golden jackal. We can also better assess their impacts on native species and ecosystems. This is underpinned by systematic monitoring of associated pathogens and disease agents. We also examine the spatial spread of these species, using current analytical methods such as metabarcoding of stomach and faecal samples, as well as telemetry to study the spatiotemporal behaviour of these predatory mammals.
How has the parasite burden changed?
A good example is the raccoon roundworm, a parasite species introduced to Europe along with the raccoon. This nematode is transmissible to humans. Its eggs are shed and spread through raccoon feces. In urban areas in particular, raccoons pose a potential risk to human health. In our samples, we found high infestation rates (prevalences) of over 90 percent for the raccoon roundworm — significantly higher than values reported in the existing literature. Raccoons are also hosts for certain viruses that cause rabies and distemper. The pathogen spectrum of the raccoon dog is similar to that of the raccoon; in addition, it is considered a definitive host of the fox tapeworm.
What effects do invasive species have on biodiversity — are there any results yet?
We have documented locally severe impacts of the raccoon on amphibians, such as the common toad — impacts that are even threatening to population survival. This is especially true in regions with few isolated spawning waters, such as old quarries, combined with high raccoon densities. We will be publishing our specific scientific findings shortly.
How exactly can the raccoon pose a threat to, for example, common toads, which even have poison glands in their skin?
Within the framework of ZOWIAC, we were able to demonstrate for certain amphibian spawning sites that raccoons specifically specialize in this food source: they skillfully use their forelimbs to skin the common toads. This renders the poison glands harmless, and the prey is consumed from the rear. Using novel DNA analyses of stomach contents, we were also able to provide the first evidence that the raccoon regionally utilizes the critically endangered and strictly protected yellow-bellied toad as a food source.
How can hunters support the ZOWIAC project?
We are currently investigating whether species such as the raccoon and raccoon dog can also serve as reservoirs for various viruses. To this end, we urgently need the support of hunters in order to obtain blood samples from raccoon dogs and raccoons for our analyses. We also need deep-frozen raccoon dogs and mink for the project — from around a dozen animals onward, we will arrange collection ourselves.
What about further projects?
We are grateful for any information indicating negative impacts of invasive species on sensitive native species. In such cases, we can work together with regional hunting and nature conservation associations to develop tailored projects. If enough samples can be collected on site, we will jointly develop a project outline and assess its feasibility. Scientific data from as many regions as possible are enormously important in order to document the influence of raccoons, raccoon dogs, or mink on native biodiversity. Further information about our research project will be available from January 2022 on the internet athttp://www.ZOWIAC.eu. The ZOWIAC app will also be available in the Play Store at that time. This will allow findings and sightings of the species under study to be reported directly to us.
From the circle surroundingProf. Dr. Sven Klimpel and Norbert Peter, it is to be expected that this group will repeatedly present their results in a high-profile manner, as they are hoping for further contracts and funding from hunting associations as well.
The joint research project ZOWIAC stands for “Zoonotic and wildlife-ecological impacts of invasive carnivores“.
The budget of the ZOWIAC project amounts to at least athree-quarter million euros. It is clear that Mr. Klimpel and associates must deliver the results desired by hobby hunters. As a result, the scientifically important neutrality of his research activities is hardly guaranteed.
The authoritative reference for raccoons currently consists of the various already published studies conducted under the “Raccoon Project”. The many studies carried out within the framework of this project have produced 236 scientific papers, including13 doctoral and diploma theses on the raccoon.
Raccoons have long since become established in Germany. Hunting these wild animals is contrary to animal welfare principles and has shown no success to date, as vacated territories are immediately occupied by other raccoons. A species-appropriate and sustainable solution would instead be castration/immunocontraception of these wild animals: A castrated raccoon continues to occupy a territory, thereby contributing to a reduction in population size that is compatible with animal welfare.
Everything described about raccoons in the abovepress release from the militant hunting association has long been known, particularly with regard to amphibians and raccoon roundworm.
What is deliberately concealed, however, is that according to experts and case studies, the risk of infection must be considered extremely low. Or that raccoons in most eastern German states do not carry roundworms at all! The impact on public health in Germany is negligible.
In the Projekt Waschbär in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, these comparisons were made deliberately, and it was demonstrated that the results were transferable to other areas. Furthermore, all samples were collected by project members (trained scientific staff), whereas in ongoing projects, reliance is placed on the assistance of hunters (recreational hunters!), which actually constitutes a "BIAS".
Indeed, particularly in studies on possible infectious diseases, recreational hunters will tend to submit samples from animals that displayed notable abnormalities (i.e. signs of disease). This likely represents a deliberate pre-selection.
Yet already now (see the DJV interview with Norbert Peter-ZOWIAC), very preliminary results — obtained in a spatially limited area — are being presented by the DJV as though they apply to the whole of Germany.
This without any accurate comparison having been carried out (Zowiac) or currently being carried out (Schleswig-Holstein) with another area in the region.
This most likely also explains the prevalence of over 90% for the raccoon roundworm reported by Norbert Peter to the DJV in the samples they examined — samples that were in all probability not collected by hunters on the scientific basis of random sampling.
Field studies on the dietary spectrum of raccoons have shown that almost 90% of their diet consists of the following categories: plants (32%), earthworms (23%), snails (16%), insects (7%), fish (6%), and molluscs (4%). Birds (1.6%), their eggs (1.4%) = 3.0%, amphibians (5.7%), and mammals (mice only, 1.7%) are rarely part of the raccoon's diet.
I do not know a single scientist or hunting expert who genuinely believes that hunting measures can bring these animals under control. We simply have to accept that the raccoon feels at home here and that we cannot regulate it. In that respect, we must find a way to coexist with it.
Dr. Ulf Hohmann, wildlife biologist and raccoon expert
It has long been scientifically proven that raccoon hunting, like fox hunting, stimulates reproduction while also destroying age structures and social structures.The attempt to reduce raccoon populations through hunting is now considered hopeless and a spectacular failure in Germany as well.
The German Hunting Association writes on its website:
«As raccoon population densities in Germany increase, so does the risk of spreading raccoon roundworm.»
Hobby hunters and conspiracy theorists therefore do not contribute to defusing potential problems — they are themselves a cause of potential risks to the public, something that has been well known at least since the era of rabies and its containment.
