Sensation in Bad Segeberg: First hazel mouse discovered on green bridge!

Sensation in Bad Segeberg: First hazel mouse discovered on green bridge!

In Schleswig-Holstein, a remarkable success in the field of nature conservation was achieved. After a long eight years of observation, environmentalists discovered the shy hazel mouse (Muscardinus Avellanarius) on a specially designed green bridge for the first time. This discovery is considered a small sensation for the nature conservation foundation, which had been waiting for years that the barely visible animal dares to dare to cross this artificial crossing.

The Grünbrücke Kiebitzholm, which leads over the A21 motorway near Bad Segeberg and is about 35 meters long, was put into operation in 2008. However, their functionality was long in coming, because the trees and plants on this bridge first had to grow to meet the requirements of the hazel mouse. Finally, the mouse was spotted in a nest tube on the building, which confirmed the adoption of the bridge by the animal.

green bridges in Schleswig-Holstein

In total, there are four such green bridges in Schleswig-Holstein, which run over the A7, A20, A24 and A21 motorways. The construction of these bridges is associated with costs between 2.5 and 5 million euros each. These investments aim to maintain special habitats for animals and to secure their reproduction and freedom of movement. The latest discovery on the Kiebitzholm Bridge illustrates the success of such initiatives.

It is particularly gratifying that a dialel mouse was also detected on another green bridge on the A20. This proves an important development for experts: the habitats of animals network again and enable them to safely move between different areas.

meaning of the green bridges

The design of such bridges not only has the well -being of the hazel mouse in view. A natural forest of around 20 hectares was also created around the A21 to upgrade the landscape as a whole and serve as a habitat. The associated construction of four kilometers of Knicks ensures that other species can also live in these green areas. This not only promotes the genetic exchange between different populations, inbreeding is also reduced.

In Germany there are currently a total of 107 green bridges over motorways and federal roads. So that these are also accepted by larger wild animals, they must have a minimum width of 50 meters. This measure is important for reducing game accidents, which are often caused by crossing the streets of animals.

The hazel mouse also has a special meaning in the context of the motorway construction project. In order to further drive the construction of the A20 in Bad Segeberg, some hazel mice even have to be relocated. This represents an additional challenge and causes costs of almost one million euros, which are ultimately borne by the taxpayer

It remains to be seen how the Situation develops and to what extent nature accepts these special construction work. A comprehensive report on this progress was published by www.bild.de .