Success story from the Altmark: Rabbit population is booming thanks to new habitats!

Success story from the Altmark: Rabbit population is booming thanks to new habitats!

A lot has happened in the Altmark area in Saxony-Anhalt in the last few decades, especially with regard to wildlife populations. The decline in pheasant numbers in the 1990s was a wake-up call for hunters. Hunters like Robert Engelmann and his father Frank took the initiative and began to actively improve the habitat. Under the watchful eye of Robert's grandfather Bernhard, hedges were created and fallow areas were planted. This not only created suitable cover but also plentiful food for hares, pheasants and partridges. The population of rabbits increased from just 7 animals per 100 hectares in 2001 to 12 animals in 2008; In the last four years the number has leveled off at around 10 animals per 100 hectares. Pirsch reports that Robert initiated the creation of flower strips in close consultation with local farmers, supported by seeds from the state hunting association.

However, there are also challenges. In 2023, drought posed a major hurdle that negatively impacted seed emergence. In addition, the beaver has become a plague in the region. His activities caused significant damage to a fenced-in shed on the Uchte. Despite these difficulties, there are positive developments: a game rest area of ​​around 20 hectares has been set up, which serves as eligible fallow land and in which the game can rest somewhere else. Game is particularly active there during the day and both pheasants and hares are clearly visible.

Wild rest zone: A place of retreat

Wildlife rest zone – an unknown term for many, but one that occupies a central place in wildlife management. These specially tailored forest areas serve exclusively as a habitat for wild animals and enable them to feed and raise their offspring in peace. Human interference should be completely ruled out here. In DJZ It is emphasized that there is a strict ban on entry in these zones in order to guarantee the animals an undisturbed place to retreat. Different regional regulations determine which parts of the forest are suitable as game rest areas, laid down in the Federal Forest Act and partly in the State Hunting Act.

In Germany, where human activities are omnipresent in the cultural landscape, the preservation of such retreats is of great importance. Wildlife refuge areas are often the last refuges for animals suffering from increasing human influences. It is urgently necessary to respect the ban on entry so that the wild animals can develop undisturbed.

Wildlife management and hunting

The topic of wildlife management is indispensable when it comes to preserving ecosystems. As in an article on national-naturlandschaften.de Explained, the term “hunting” includes not only the killing of wild animals, but also their care. The goal is not only to regulate inventory, but above all to protect the cultural landscape. Such regulation is often necessary in national parks in order to achieve the protective purpose. A graduated management concept provides for both hunting-free areas and regulated zones in these areas in order to keep animal populations in balance.

The balance between man and nature is extremely fragile. Thoughtful wildlife management can help ensure that we do justice to both the wild animals and our cultural landscape. So anyone who heads out into nature in the future should remember that it's not just about having fun, but also about protecting our wildlife. Respectful interaction is necessary!