Why nutrias, raccoons and co. struggle with prejudicesInvasive species: All information on alien animals

Animal species such as the nutria, Egyptian goose and raccoon are classed as invasive species in the EU. The way they are dealt with is often characterized by prejudice and is anything but animal-friendly. In most cases, the authorities rely on hunting.

What are alien and invasive species?

A so-called alien species has not migrated or flown across borders on its own. It was intentionally or accidentally introduced by humans from its natural range to another, foreign area or country and has managed to survive and subsequently reproduce there. Animals are considered invasive species if they spread in the new environment and this in turn has an impact on native species - for example by competing for food and habitats. They are therefore said to endanger native ecosystems. In some cases, however, they are also said to cause economic damage.

On the one hand, the EU Commission fears that invasive alien species - both animals and plants - pose a threat to biodiversity in the international community. This would be the case if they displace other animal and plant species. On the other hand, some of these animals and plants also have a reputation for transmitting diseases or causing damage to agriculture.

Are invasive species as dangerous as their reputation?

Not all animals are as dangerous to native species as they are said to be. Nutrias, for example, can create new habitats for plants and animals by digging and eating^₁. There is also no confirmation to date that Egyptian geese, for example, are displacing native waterfowl^₂or transmit more diseases than other wild birds. This also applies to raccoons, which do not pose an increased risk of disease and do not attack humans as long as they do not feel threatened.

Many of the species considered invasive in Europe were once introduced by humans from other parts of the world, either for pleasure or to make money from them. They imported them to hunt them, to use their fur , to exhibit them in zoos and to trade or keep them as pets. Raccoons and nutria, for example, were only able to spread in Germany after they escaped from fur farms and enclosures at the beginning of the 20th century. Some animals were also introduced unintentionally. For example, the Chinese mitten crab. It has traveled as a stowaway in the ballast water tanks of ships. Global trade opens up many more routes for new species to spread.

How do authorities tackle invasive species?

In the EU, a separate regulation has been in force since 2015 that deals with the "prevention and management of the introduction and spread" of these species. In the worst case scenario, however, "manage" stands for "kill". According to official figures, hunters shot over 200,000 raccoons and almost 95,000 nutria in the 2021/2022 hunting season in Germany alone. Tens of thousands of Egyptian geese, which have long since settled in our country, also die in the crosshairs every year. To prevent further invasive species from being brought into the EU, the international community maintains the Union list. People are not allowed to deliberately import, breed or transport the species on the list into the EU.

The most important thing is to avoid conflicts between humans and animals. In the case of animal species such as nutria, raccoons or Egyptian geese, it is a big step not to feed them. In many cases, this also happens unintentionally through food that is thrown away or left behind.

Private owners who have kept animals on the Union list since before 2015 may continue to do so until the end of the animals' lives. However, they must ensure that they cannot escape into the wild or reproduce. They may not acquire any new animals on the list and may not relinquish or transport their animals. However, taking in animals from animal shelters may be permitted.

What does the EU regulation mean for animal shelters?

Many animal shelters affiliated with the German Animal Welfare Federation are constantly receiving requests to take in young or injured raccoons. However, the animal welfare organizations do not have enough capacity to provide the wild animals with species-appropriate care. Nevertheless, they have to take in the animals permanently, even if they have nursed them back to health. This is because, unlike foxes or other native animal species, which they can often release back into the wild, they are not allowed to reintroduce species that are considered invasive. In most cases, animal welfare activists only have the option of networking with each other and checking which association can care for the animals in the long term. Animal shelters and rescue centers are left with the costs of caring for these animals.