Animal helpers on the Danube Island: Mowing sheep ensure meadow diversity

Animal helpers on the Danube Island: Mowing sheep ensure meadow diversity

It's going to be busy again this year on the Danube Island because the mowing sheep have been diligently doing their work. Around eleven hectares of meadow area were grazed by the animal mowing brigade from the end of April to the beginning of November. This great achievement is viewed as consistently positive by the City of Vienna, especially by the Vienna Waters Department. Now that the mowing season has successfully concluded, the sheep are making their way back to their winter quarters.

During this time, sheep like Flocki, Luisa and Willi thrived on what the Danube Island had to offer them. Thanks to special mobile fences, the sheep were able to graze in small sections, which meant that their work was not only carried out efficiently, but also in a way that was gentle on nature. A shepherd or shepherdess visits the flock once a day to make sure they don't lack anything.

Securing biodiversity

City councilor Ulli Sima (SPÖ) emphasizes the positive effects on the environment: "The mowing sheep help to maintain the meadows without machines, which not only reduces the background noise, but also promotes biodiversity. This leaves enough grass areas and flowers for insects." This initiative has not only brought ecological benefits, but also won many sheep fans who can look forward to seeing you again next year.

The sheep have been part of an EU project called “LIFE DICCA” since 2019, which aims to preserve biodiversity on the Danube Island. By 2024, the herd will have cultivated a total of around 60 hectares of meadowland, which is a huge area - more than six times the size of Vienna's city park. For the benefit of the environment and wildlife, the mowing sheep are an integral part of the Danube Island's inventory.

Robust mowing aid

The city of Vienna plans to continue sheep grazing even after the EU project is completed, as the positive effects of this method are obvious. Gerald Loew, head of Vienna Waterways, describes the mowing sheep as a “best practice example” for sustainable landscape maintenance.

The mowing sheep have another advantage: they can also reach areas that are difficult to access. The hilly meadows in the north of the Danube Island do not bother the sheep. Their gentle grazing also prevents the meadows from becoming overgrown. This means tender grasses can thrive and get the light they need, while insects benefit from the plant varieties that sheep often ignore.

For more information about the animal mowing brigade and their work on the Danube Island, see the report on www.meinkreis.at.