After the storm: How heavy rain puts wild animals in distress

After the storm: How heavy rain puts wild animals in distress

The recent storms in Lower Austria not only had serious consequences for us humans, but also severely affected the local wildlife. It is a depressing picture that emerges given the impact on wildlife, which often suffers from extreme weather conditions. The prolonged heavy rain in particular led to devastating conditions in various regions, with reports of the loss of wild animals due to the flooding also being alarming.

In different areas of the country, an increasing number of wild animals have been found as so-called fallen game. Fallen game refers to animals that died without external influences, such as hunters or predators. Martin Schacherl, the district hunter, noticed that fawns and weak goats were particularly affected. This situation varies regionally and shows how much the change in weather, especially the persistent wetness, has affected the animals' habitat and well-being.

The causes and measures

The district hunter's master attributed the high number of fallen game to the days of wetness caused by the massive rain. The animals had little opportunity to dry themselves, leading to serious health problems, including respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia. These problems were further worsened by the previous drought, which significantly affected food quality.

Although it is currently difficult to estimate how many wild animals were lost, hunters and wildlife experts are waiting to get an accurate count. This should happen as soon as the water levels are lowered and the areas are accessible again. Disposing of fallen game is a top priority, with local authorities, farms and hunters working together. These measures are critical to maintaining healthy wildlife populations and protecting overall wildlife health.

State hunter Josef Pröll expressed concern about the extensive damage caused by the flood to the habitats. Deer, wild boars and even small animals such as hedgehogs are particularly affected, as their habitat is significantly restricted by the natural disaster. Hunters are called upon to closely monitor the populations and take appropriate measures to protect and care for them.

Together for wildlife protection

In addition to checking populations and disposing of fallen game, hunters emphasize the importance of respectful behavior in wild animal habitats. Pröll particularly appeals to dog owners to keep their animals on a leash in nature in order to avoid additional disruption. This simple measure can go a long way in providing wildlife with a space to recover during such difficult times.

In order to sustainably preserve wildlife populations, structural measures are also essential. The hunters and landowners work closely together to ensure the diversity of species in the region. The goal is not only to stabilize the wild population, but also to create a diverse habitat that offers protection to wild animals. Current projects include the creation of strips of bushes and trees to create refuges for the animals, as well as the designation of wild islands in flood areas. These initiatives are intended to ensure that the animals are not completely uprooted during floods.

This is an important step to promote wildlife populations and strengthen resilience to further extreme weather. Precipitation and other extreme weather events represent a major challenge, but one that can be overcome through far-sighted planning and sustainable nature conservation. In-depth management of natural habitats could increase the ability of animal populations to adapt to such extreme climatic events.

For more information on current developments and challenges in wildlife management, you can read the articles on www.meinkreis.at consult.