Neozoen Zurich

Neozoa are animal species that were not originally native to Central Europe and have spread into the DACH region through direct or indirect human action. In day to day hunting, the discussion focuses on an established group of species: the raccoon (Procyon lotor) from North America, the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) from East Asia, the American mink (Neogale vison) descended from escaped or released fur animals, the coypu or nutria (Myocastor coypus) from South America, the muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) also of North American origin, and the Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca) from Africa. All of these species have shown rapid, in some cases explosive population growth over recent decades and now feature prominently in many hunting bags.

The ecological impacts are assessed in nuanced ways by science and hunting associations. The pressure on ground nesting birds and small game is undisputed. Raccoons and raccoon dogs plunder nests of meadow breeders such as lapwing, curlew and other waders and can noticeably reduce breeding success in areas where remaining populations are already small. The American mink competes with the native European mink and selectively takes water birds, amphibians and crayfish. Coypu and muskrat weaken dykes and bank slopes with their burrow systems and contribute to damage on flood protection structures. The Egyptian goose aggressively displaces other waterfowl from breeding waters and causes damage in farmland and parks.

Hunting these species takes place either year round or under long open seasons, depending on the federal state and national legislation. In practice, trap hunting plays a central role, especially for the nocturnal and secretive predators raccoon, raccoon dog and mink. Only humane live capture traps or approved killing traps are used; they must be checked regularly and set in line with strict legal requirements. High seat and stalking hunts, the use of earth dogs and waterfowl hunting on Egyptian geese complement trapping. Hunting grounds with a high share of sensitive habitats, such as meadow bird areas, floodplains and protected sites, often use targeted neozoa control as an active contribution to the conservation of ground nesting birds and small game.

The legal framework at European level is Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species. It obliges member states to manage species on the Union list effectively, to contain their further spread and to prohibit keeping, breeding, trade and release. Raccoon, raccoon dog, mink, coypu, muskrat and Egyptian goose are all listed. In Germany, implementation runs through the Federal Nature Conservation Act and the hunting laws of the federal states; in Austria through the nature conservation and hunting acts of the federal provinces; in Switzerland through the federal hunting act and cantonal regulations. For the hunter this means that taking neozoa is not only a long standing hunting tradition but a legally embedded contribution to nature conservation and to safeguarding native biodiversity.