The Local Germany

Germany’s 'first wild bison in 250 years’ shot by authorities

Mon, 18 Sep 2017 17:16:35 +0200

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) announced on Friday that it is filing charges against an official in eastern Germany who ordered hunters to shoot a bison he claimed was a danger to the public. The conservationists say it was the first wild bison seen in Germany in two and a half centuries.

Gay penguins left in peace after breeding plans stall

Thu, 14 Apr 2016 15:07:55 +0200

Two male king penguins who didn't quite live up to their keepers' plans for them to go forth and multiply have been moved from Berlin to Hamburg zoo.

Tiny German backpack X-rays aid gentle giants

Thu, 13 Aug 2015 18:59:22 +0200

Extreme humidity, 40C heat, poachers and inhospitable terrain: this is the work environment of international veterinary charity Gorilla Doctors. But a piece of technology from Germany is about to make things that little bit easier.

Clean-up saves sea life from trash filled nets

Thu, 26 Jun 2014 13:40:00 +0200

An operation is underway off the north German coast to clear rubbish-filled nylon fishing nets on the Baltic Sea floor which are decimating wildlife.

Third of species in German seas at risk

Tue, 13 May 2014 12:38:00 +0200

Ecologists have called for more marine nature protection zones, as nearly a third of fish and other sea species in German waters are now considered endangered.

Problem geese deposits frustrate German mayor

Tue, 23 Jul 2013 14:05:00 +0200

A frustrated German mayor has called in the hunters after a gaggle of Canada geese messing up his little lakeside town failed to show him any respect. "They just looked at me," he said of his attempts to persuade them to leave.

Calls grow for crack nature police squad

Fri, 19 Jul 2013 18:44:00 +0200

Mysterious murderers are claiming countless victims in Bavaria's forests – and nobody is doing anything about it. Now one group is calling for a new crack police team to catch the culprits.

New sandy bird island rises off North Sea coast

Sat, 05 Jan 2013 10:43:00 +0100

A brand new island of sand dunes has risen out of shallow waters off the German North Sea coast, creating a new sanctuary for breeding birds, say wildlife experts.

Nearly a third of vertebrate species at risk

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 18:25:00 +0200

Nearly a third of vertebrate animal species in Germany are threatened with extinction, while seven percent have already died out, new figures show.

Fishy demand for North Sea seal cull

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 08:55:00 +0200

The head of a German coastal fishing association failed to make many friends by calling for thousands of seals to be shot to conserve fish stocks in the North Sea. Conservationists were outraged, while politicians rejected the proposal.

Storks get high-tech bling for epic trek

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 19:11:00 +0200

White storks are about to leave Germany for Africa for the winter. A common sight in the marshy north of the country, the birds remain rare around the Rhine. Kate Hairsine took to the heights to see some young ones being ringed.

Porpoises attract tourists and biologists in river towards Bremen

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 12:35:00 +0200

A growing population of harbour porpoises in the Weser River has captured the attention of animal lovers across northwest Germany, while biologists are gathering information to aid protection efforts.

Grey seal watching trips start as population stabilises

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 14:32:00 +0100

The first seal-watching expeditions to see grey seals on the north German coast started this weekend after the population was deemed stable enough to cope with public observation.

Wattenmeer mudflats named world heritage site

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:04:00 +0200

Germany’s Wattenmeer – North Sea mudflats which are feeding grounds to millions of migratory birds and a unique ecosystem – was made a world natural heritage site by UNESCO on Friday.

Kingfisher crowned bird of the year

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 12:46:00 +0200

The kingfisher has been crowned bird of the year 2009 in Germany, with conservationists hoping the added attention this brings may results in increased protection of its dwindling habitat.