http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Sun, 19 May 2013 11:52:22 +0200 Sun, 19 May 2013 11:52:22 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/hares-and-rabbits-are-freezing-to-death-this-easter-a-891673.html#ref=rss Young hares and rabbits are dying of cold in the icy weather this Easter, a German Wildlife Foundation has warned. It's not just the snow that is making their natural habitat more perilous. The removal of hedges through modern farming is depriving them of protection. Some are opting to move into the city. Fri, 29 Mar 2013 11:34:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/hares-and-rabbits-are-freezing-to-death-this-easter-a-891673.html Young hares and rabbits are dying of cold in the icy weather this Easter, a German Wildlife Foundation has warned. It's not just the snow that is making their natural habitat more perilous. The removal of hedges through modern farming is depriving them of protection. Some are opting to move into the city. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/rapid-expansion-of-wels-catfish-causing-takeover-of-german-rivers-a-878417.html#ref=rss The enormous wels catfish is rapidly expanding in German waters. The fish can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh over 300 pounds, making recreational fishermen excited about the prospects of catching one. While biologists aren't yet calling the fish pests, they are puzzled by the boom. Fri, 18 Jan 2013 18:42:02 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/rapid-expansion-of-wels-catfish-causing-takeover-of-german-rivers-a-878417.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/prince-to-reintroduce-european-bison-to-germany-a-874387.html#ref=rss For the first time since the 18th century, the European bison is returning to Germany to live in the wild. The wisent, as it is also known, has been brought to the country by a famous prince. Although the creatures' survival is uncertain, the project has already attracted considerable attention. Mon, 24 Dec 2012 14:27:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/prince-to-reintroduce-european-bison-to-germany-a-874387.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/german-police-helicopter-rescues-trapped-deer-from-frozen-lake-a-872184.html#ref=rss A deer that got trapped in ice on a frozen lake in northern Germany narrowly escaped death thanks to the ingenuity of a helicopter crew that happened to be flying by. Tue, 11 Dec 2012 13:16:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/german-police-helicopter-rescues-trapped-deer-from-frozen-lake-a-872184.html A deer that got trapped in ice on a frozen lake in northern Germany narrowly escaped death thanks to the ingenuity of a helicopter crew that happened to be flying by.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/wild-elks-return-to-germany-a-853581.html#ref=rss European elks are using their impressive swimming skills to cross the Oder River from Poland into Germany in search of new territory. But the long-legged giants, which can weigh up to 800 kilograms, are finding their ancient trails broken by busy roads. A motorist killed one on a highway near Berlin this weekend. Mon, 03 Sep 2012 12:52:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/wild-elks-return-to-germany-a-853581.html European elks are using their impressive swimming skills to cross the Oder River from Poland into Germany in search of new territory. But the long-legged giants, which can weigh up to 800 kilograms, are finding their ancient trails broken by busy roads. A motorist killed one on a highway near Berlin this weekend. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/spiegel-interview-with-wolf-expert-markus-bathen-a-848444.html#ref=rss The last wolf in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein was killed in 1820, but now a lone individual has returned. As the species begins to reestablish itself in the country, a leading expert assured SPIEGEL that Germans don't need to fear the wolf. Wed, 08 Aug 2012 17:50:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/spiegel-interview-with-wolf-expert-markus-bathen-a-848444.html The last wolf in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein was killed in 1820, but now a lone individual has returned. As the species begins to reestablish itself in the country, a leading expert assured SPIEGEL that Germans don't need to fear the wolf.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/german-squirrel-rescued-from-manhole-cover-dies-a-848536.html#ref=rss Sometimes life isn't fair. Just hours after he was freed from a manhole cover by German police, a squirrel in northern Germany has succumbed to the stress of the experience. The rodent was apparently exhausted. Mon, 06 Aug 2012 17:16:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/german-squirrel-rescued-from-manhole-cover-dies-a-848536.html Sometimes life isn't fair. Just hours after he was freed from a manhole cover by German police, a squirrel in northern Germany has succumbed to the stress of the experience. The rodent was apparently exhausted.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/german-police-rescue-squirrel-stuck-in-manhole-cover-a-848506.html#ref=rss Lodged in a manhole cover with only its little head peeking out, a squirrel in northern Germany found itself in a rather sticky situation on Monday. But armed with olive oil and a few clever ideas, police officers managed to ensure a happy ending. Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:45:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/german-police-rescue-squirrel-stuck-in-manhole-cover-a-848506.html Lodged in a manhole cover with only its little head peeking out, a squirrel in northern Germany found itself in a rather sticky situation on Monday. But armed with olive oil and a few clever ideas, police officers managed to ensure a happy ending. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-overrun-by-raccoon-invasion-a-847847.html#ref=rss Germany is being invaded by what is estimated to be over a million raccoons. Worried residents have been driven to take extreme measures to deter or eradicate the furry pests, but experts fear the nocturnal marauders are here to stay. Fri, 03 Aug 2012 11:47:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-overrun-by-raccoon-invasion-a-847847.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/mouse-plague-hits-central-germany-a-843811.html#ref=rss Millions of field mice are overrunning the central German states of Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt, much to the concern of local farmers. The rodents are devastating food crops, cutting yields by up to 50 percent. Getting birds of prey to hunt the critters didn't help, and now farmers want to be allowed to use a banned rat poison. Wed, 11 Jul 2012 15:13:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/mouse-plague-hits-central-germany-a-843811.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/forest-sex-footage-sparks-debate-in-austria-a-838691.html#ref=rss Wildlife cameras set up in the woods of the Austrian state of Carinthia have captured the sexual exploits of an unidentified local politician. The footage has sparked a debate about data protection, with Austrian activists claiming the cameras are intrusive. But the politician may win compensation for breach of privacy. Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:00:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/forest-sex-footage-sparks-debate-in-austria-a-838691.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/wild-wonders-of-europe-photo-contest-announces-winners-a-835911.html#ref=rss More than 10,000 images were submitted for the annual Wild Wonders of Europe photography competition last year. Now the judges have made their selections. The winners offer a spectacular glimpse at Europe's wild beauty. Wed, 30 May 2012 11:06:53 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/wild-wonders-of-europe-photo-contest-announces-winners-a-835911.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/wild-wonders-exhibition-comes-to-berlin-a-832653.html#ref=rss Spectacular wildlife photography often depicts African lions or penguins waddling across Antarctic snow. But an exhibition on tour in Europe is shining a spotlight on natural wonders closer to home. Starting on Tuesday, visitors arriving at Berlin's central train station will be greeted by pictures showcasing Europe's gems. Mon, 21 May 2012 17:32:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/wild-wonders-exhibition-comes-to-berlin-a-832653.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/wolf-killed-in-western-germany-a-829271.html#ref=rss A wolf was sighted in the Westerwald region of western Germany for the first time in 123 years in February. It didn't survive long. Hikers found its cadaver on Saturday after it was illegally shot dead. Wildlife conservationists are appalled and the local hunting association has offered a reward to find the perpetrator. Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:04:54 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/wolf-killed-in-western-germany-a-829271.html A wolf was sighted in the Westerwald region of western Germany for the first time in 123 years in February. It didn't survive long. Hikers found its cadaver on Saturday after it was illegally shot dead. Wildlife conservationists are appalled and the local hunting association has offered a reward to find the perpetrator. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/interview-with-expert-on-training-bear-m13-to-avoid-humans-a-827457.html#ref=rss A young brown bear is currently wandering in Switzerland and showing little fear towards humans. Wildlife officials are seeking to retrain the animal before it is too late. In an interview, Joanna Schoenenberger of WWF explains the difficulties of teaching bears to avoid people and why she is optimistic in this case. Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:04:03 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/interview-with-expert-on-training-bear-m13-to-avoid-humans-a-827457.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/brown-bear-sightings-in-switzerland-have-germans-on-edge-a-827167.html#ref=rss Bears don't venture into Germany often, but a slew of sightings in Switzerland have many concerned that one is on the way. The two-year-old mammal has been spotted wandering along village roads, feasting on honey and leaving colonies of dead bees in its wake. Will it meet the same fate as Bruno? Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:08:43 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/brown-bear-sightings-in-switzerland-have-germans-on-edge-a-827167.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/study-finds-german-wolves-prefer-wildlife-to-livestock-a-821013.html#ref=rss Despite the fears of rural residents, the wolves that have migrated into Germany in the last decade only rarely kill livestock, a new study has found. Instead, nearly all of of the predator's diet consists of wild animals, mainly deer and wild boar, say researchers who inspected more than 3,000 droppings. Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:29:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/study-finds-german-wolves-prefer-wildlife-to-livestock-a-821013.html Despite the fears of rural residents, the wolves that have migrated into Germany in the last decade only rarely kill livestock, a new study has found. Instead, nearly all of of the predator's diet consists of wild animals, mainly deer and wild boar, say researchers who inspected more than 3,000 droppings. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/misguided-slaughter-german-crow-killing-group-faces-growing-backlash-a-811262.html#ref=rss A group of fanatic bird killers in Germany known as "the Crowbusters" has been waging a war on the birds with military-grade weapons and crusader-like zeal. But their stated reasons for massacring these "feathered vermin" are unfounded, and their bloodthirstiness has irked even some hunting groups. Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:23:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/misguided-slaughter-german-crow-killing-group-faces-growing-backlash-a-811262.html A group of fanatic bird killers in Germany known as "the Crowbusters" has been waging a war on the birds with military-grade weapons and crusader-like zeal. But their stated reasons for massacring these "feathered vermin" are unfounded, and their bloodthirstiness has irked even some hunting groups. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/wildlife-experts-alarmed-stallone-action-movie-wakes-up-hibernating-bats-a-810918.html#ref=rss Thousands of bats hibernating in a Bulgarian cave have been woken up by the filming of Hollywood action movie "The Expendables 2," wildlife experts say. They complain that authorities shouldn't have permitted filming in one of Europe's top winter bat refuges, and warn that many of the creatures are so confused that they may starve. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:08:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/wildlife-experts-alarmed-stallone-action-movie-wakes-up-hibernating-bats-a-810918.html Thousands of bats hibernating in a Bulgarian cave have been woken up by the filming of Hollywood action movie "The Expendables 2," wildlife experts say. They complain that authorities shouldn't have permitted filming in one of Europe's top winter bat refuges, and warn that many of the creatures are so confused that they may starve. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/teutonic-safari-spotting-rare-wild-animals-in-germany-a-788800.html#ref=rss Wolves, big cats, colorful birds: Anyone craving a safari doesn't have to visit Africa -- with a few tricks, rare animals can be tracked down in Germany too. SPIEGEL ONLINE presents 10 destinations for viewing especially shy native species. Wed, 28 Sep 2011 17:21:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/teutonic-safari-spotting-rare-wild-animals-in-germany-a-788800.html Wolves, big cats, colorful birds: Anyone craving a safari doesn't have to visit Africa -- with a few tricks, rare animals can be tracked down in Germany too. SPIEGEL ONLINE presents 10 destinations for viewing especially shy native species.]]>