Mouflon overpopulation: Hunting against damage in the Thuringian Forest!

Mouflon overpopulation: Hunting against damage in the Thuringian Forest!

In the Saale-Orla district, the overpopulation of mouflons is causing a stir. Originally native to the Mediterranean, these impressive wild animals were settled in Thuringia around 100 years ago. With a growing number of around 250 mouflons spread across 700 hectares in Stefan Hertzsch's hunting grounds, the situation has now become critical. Due to the damage these animals cause to forests, the local hunting authority has lifted the closed season to restore balance to nature. MDR reports that this overpopulation is already causing several problems.

The mouflons cause considerable damage to the forests through shelling, browsing and kicking, which is particularly serious in areas with already weakened vegetation. There are 16,000 hectares of calamity areas in the region that suffer from drought and bark beetle infestations. Reforestation with mixed forest species such as beech, oak and maple is urgently needed, while the dying trees pose a danger to the surrounding area due to their instability. The mouflon population has expanded in recent decades from the original 13 to now 65 areas in the Saale-Orla district. [Pirsch adds that](https://www.pirsch.de/news/waldumbau-und-wild Schaden-diese-perspektive-hat-das-muffelwild-36900) the population in Germany increased slightly in the years after the fall of the Wall, but difficulties continue to exist in certain regions.

Difficult regulation of the mouflon population

In the Hertzsch hunting area, large carnivores such as wolves and lynx also have no significant influence on the mouflon population. Although five breaches by wolves were recorded last season, this is not enough to effectively regulate the mouflon population. Not only are these animals difficult to hunt, they also have excellent 360-degree vision, making the task even more difficult. The regular hunting season for mouflons lasts from August to January, although the Lower Hunting Authority has not yet published any figures on mouflons shot after the closure of the closed season.

The mouflons have a special position in Germany. They are located in wooded low mountain ranges such as the Thuringian Forest, Eifel and Bavarian Forest. They prefer to find their habitat in open, hilly areas with mixed and deciduous forests. As non-natives of German flora and fauna, some of these animals are considered huntable. Wildbruecke emphasizes that the mouflon plays an important role in biodiversity, which is why there are protective measures for stable populations.

The current developments in Thuringia clearly show that a responsible approach to nature is necessary to protect both wild animals and forests. Regulating the mouflon population is a first step towards repairing the ecological damage in the region and supporting sustainable forestry. It remains to be seen whether the measures will be fruitful.