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News, video, newspaper articles, press releases, and podcasts about the project.
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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.
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15/05/2024
As part of a study, over 2,200 people from nine different stakeholder groups in Germany with direct contact to invasive species were asked about their perception of IAS. The number of invasive species was estimated approximately correctly in all groups, while the economic damage was underestimated. However, all stakeholder groups regarded IAS as a problem and see a need to take action in dealing with them. Those affected should be made more aware of invasive species and the damage and problems they cause in order to develop effective management.

Kleespies MW, Dörge DD, Peter N, Schantz AV, Skaljic A, Feucht V, Burger-Schulz AL, Dierkes PW, Klimpel S 2024. Identifying opportunities for invasive species management: an empirical study of stakeholder perceptions and interest in invasive species. Biological Invasions. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-024-03328-z
25/04/2024
In water-associated nature reserves, 108 raccoons (Procyon lotor) were examined for their predation and potential impacts on native species. Stomach and fecal samples were analyzed to determine their diet. Additionally, the parasite fauna was recorded, as insights into further prey organisms can be drawn from their specific life cycles. Evidence such as common toads (Bufo bufo) or smooth newts (Lissotriton vulgaris), as well as parasites like Euryhelmis squamula, indicate that raccoons exert predation pressure on sensitive species, especially amphibians. Three parasites—Hymenolepis erinacei, Physocephalus sexalatus, and Pomphorhynchus laevis—were newly documented for raccoons in Europe.

Peter N, Schantz AV, Dörge DD, Steinhoff A, Cunze S Skaljic A, Klimpel S. 2024. Evidence of predation pressure on sensitive species by raccoons based on parasitological studies. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife, 100935.
11/04/2024
In a new study, the effects of environmental temperature on the development of raccoon roundworm eggs were investigated. Living Baylisascaris procyonis specimens were collected from the intestines of raccoons, maintained in a nutrient medium, and their eggs incubated at different environmental temperatures. An increase in temperature accelerated the developmental process. The optimal temperature range for embryonic development was between 10°C and 30°C. Developmental abnormalities were observed when temperatures exceeded 35°C. The results indicate that the raccoon roundworm finds highly suitable environmental conditions in Germany.

Stutz R, Dörge DD, Schantz AV, Peter N, Klimpel S. 2024. Environmental modulators on the development of the raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis): Effects of temperature on the embryogenesis. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife 25, 100997. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100997.
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