ZOWIAC

Support us in researching raccoons, raccoon dogs and co.
With our ZOWIAC app, you can directly participate in scientific work and report finding points for invasive carnivores and other observed animals.
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Wildlife in focus

All Animals
We study invasive carnivores (carnivores) in terms of their impact on endangered native species and their respective ecosystems, as well as their infestation with parasites and other disease-causing pathogens, among other factors.
Carnivores
Background information on invasive carnivores.
Food
species used as food by invasive carnivores
Parasites
Every living being is affected by a parasite at least once in its life

Map of discovery sites

In the map you can find all finding points of the examined animal species – the map can be filtered by period, area and animal species. You can also see the data you reported here at any time.

ZOWIAC-APP

Become a citizen scientist and support us!
With the ZOWIAC app, you become part of the project. You can help to generate data about the distribution as well as the further spread potential of raccoon and co. in Germany.
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News

More
Current press reports, publications, television reports or podcasts
15/11/2023
1st and 2nd poster prize for ZOWIAC scientists
At the international conference “Zoonoses 2023 – International Symposium on Zoonoses Research” in Berlin, Norbert Peter and Anna Schantz won the 1st and 2nd poster prize for their work on the zoonotic potential of invasive carnivores.
01/11/2023
Raccoon dogs: non-native omnivores are spreading in Europe
Risk of transmission of pathogens and potential impact on native organisms by raccoon dogs investigated
01/10/2023
ZOWIAC Conference
The ZOWIAC conference was a success and paved the way for further cooperation within the research field.
21/07/2023
Die Ratgeber – Invasive animal species
Whether Asian tiger mosquitoes, Nile geese or the Hyalomma tick: they are not actually native to Hesse and yet the so-called invasive animal species are spreading rapidly.
21/06/2023
Raccoons infected with potentially dangerous viruses
Raccoons can be infected with both the West Nile virus and the Usutu virus. Researchers have detected antibodies against West Nile and Usutu viruses in blood samples from raccoons in Germany, but not for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.
10/06/2022
ZOWIAC on Die Ratgeber (hr television)
The article explains various protective measures against raccoons. Norbert Peter explains the research project and the goals of project ZOWIAC
26/04/2022
Citizen Science raccoon, raccoon dog and mink report via app
Actually, the raccoon comes from North America – but it is also spreading in Europe, meanwhile it can be seen quite often in Berlin, for example.
21/04/2022
Raccoons and raccoon dogs : infested with parasites
A research project is to show what damage raccoons, raccoon dogs and American minks cause in Europe. Initial results are unappetizing and worrying.
21/04/2022
Raccoons and Co. looked on the paws
With the help of the ZOWIAC app, interested parties can submit reports on the three species – with the aim of obtaining detailed, area-wide data on the distribution and occurrence of the potential disease vectors.
01/09/2021
The search for the origin
When diseases jump from animals to humans – a scenario whose effects we are currently experiencing worldwide