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

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Current press reports, publications, television reports or podcasts
07/01/2025
Raccoon Parasites Survive for Years in the Environment and Are Potential Pathogens
The Raccoon Roundworm finds particularly favorable climatic conditions in Europe to persist. Given the continuously growing raccoon populations in European cities and global climate change, this could become a future health issue for both humans and animals.
18/06/2024
Damage caused by invasive species is underestimated
Large-scale survey reveals the perspectives of various interest groups on invasive animals and plants. In a broad-based survey, researchers from Goethe University and the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center in Frankfurt have investigated the views and perceptions of stakeholders in Germany on the topic of invasive species.
28/05/2024
ZOWIAC recieves Hessian Wildlife Prize
In recognition of the outstanding achievements of the ZOWIAC project, Ingmar Jung, Hessian Minister of the HMLU, has now awarded the subproject “Hunting, Conservation, and Science – Hand in Hand for the Preservation of a Diverse Herpetofauna” the Hessian Wildlife Prize at the State Hunters’ Day in Fulda.
14/05/2024
Masked predators: raccoons are a threat to native amphibians and reptiles
Raccoons in Germany use amphibians and reptiles as a food source. The invasive predators therefore pose a threat to the native fauna.
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