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.
Frankfurt am Main Städte
Sichtungen Waschbär: 54
Helfer: 54
Tier
Von
Bis
LANDKREIS

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
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
25/08/2021
Anna and the wild animals
The 88th episode is about the raccoon dog and its peculiarities and, among other things, what influence it has on our nature.
27/06/2021
Two furry animals conquer Europe
Originally from North America and Asia respectively, raccoons and raccoon dogs have already colonized large parts of Europe. Their advance is likely to be far from over.
05/05/2021
Raccoon dogs: Invasive Species and Potential Hosts for Sars-CoV-2
Researchers from Frankfurt sequence the genome of raccoon dogs and find evidence that the animals can transmit coronavirus.
04/05/2021
Virus host on the rise
Whole raccoon dog genome sequenced for the first time – potential for SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
16/04/2021
Introduced raccoons and raccoon dogs on the rise in Europe
Once they were brought to the European continent as fur and hunting animals. Now the animals are opening up ever larger areas