Hesse's nature is happy: Lynx and otter celebrate comeback!

In 2024, gratifying news in the area of ​​species and nature conservation from Hessen. The North Hessian Reinhardswald has experienced the following remarkable developments: a young lynx was taken in front of the photo trap, while a hunter filmed a lynx with four young in autumn 2023. The lynx, which was considered eradicated in Hesse for a long time, was resolved in Harz in Lower Saxony in the early 2000s after the last animal was killed in Hesse almost 200 years ago.

In addition,

the otter, who had been considered extinct in Hesse since the mid -20th century, settled in the district of Gießen in new waters. The otter has been present again since 2013 and gradually increases. Around 1,200 beavers currently live in Hesse, which were descended from only 18 animals that were exposed to the Spessart in the 1980s.

protective measures for endangered species

Another highlight is the documentation of the strongly endangered butterfly thyme anehbläuling on the Simmelsberg in the Rhön. However, the habitat of this kind is threatened by extreme dry phases. There are also positive things in terms of the quail king: In 2024, twice as many documented areas were registered as in 2023, almost 60. The breeding occurrence of the quail king benefited this year from later mowing measures.

The protection of the lignite also shows positive developments. With specific protective measures in the Lahn-Dill district, 40 new areas have been established since 2021, which increased the total number to over 280. In Allendorf, North Hesse, pasture posts and bamboo sticks for the lignite were also installed, which increased the breeding pairs from one to seven.

recovery of the groundwater levels

The groundwater levels in Hesse have been showing a sustainable recovery since September 2023, which is due to a precipitation surplus. At almost two thirds of the Hessian measuring points, the groundwater levels reach a high to very high level in early December. In this context, the state program "100 Wild Breaks for Hesse" was extended until 2027 to renaturalize 100 streams. This program supports municipalities from planning to implementation and should serve both climate protection and flood protection.

For more information on these nature conservation measures in Hessen, you can read the comprehensive reports on the website of the Borkener Zeitung