02 European kittens The BUND wants to give them a future. Please help us! They live withdrawn, hidden…

The European profile …mostly sleeping during the day and at night. Hardly anyone catches a glimpse of them. Looks Similar to a tabby domestic but with a bushy black- But they are there! They still live in our : ringed tail with a dull black tip; coat pattern not rich in the European wildcats. Dear readers, contrast but washed out. With its winter coat it gives the impression of being a lot stockier and stronger than No, wildcats are no runaway domestic . It is a spe- Introduction linking-up ’s forests with each other, a domestic cat. cies of its own with the scientific name silvestris. forming connections between the last habi- They seem a lot stronger and are a lot wilder than our Size tats of the , in all 20,000 kitty cats. They roamed ’s forests long before About the size of a domestic cat kilometres consisting of bushes and trees: this the Romans brought the first domestic cats with them is the ambitious goal of the BUND project “A Weight on their way across the . Safety Net for the European Wildcat”, pro- Female cat around 4 kg; tomcat around 5 kg bably ’s largest nature conser- vation project. Offspring …but they are still there. 2 – 4 (max. 6) kittens per litter, born between March and September, most litters in April, second litter in autumn, The once expansive forests of our country are nowa- normally only in cases where the first one is lost days fragmented by , settlements and roads. For strict residents such as the European wildcat Food they are scattered like islands in the sea. The remaining In Central Europe mostly mice, rarely and depending on habitats are too small to ensure the survival of the Eu- availability: wild rabbits, lizards, frogs, , small , carrion as an exception; hardly any vegetarian food ropean wildcat. Green corridors can offer them new habitats and facilitate the exchange between the so far Tracks isolated . Paw print like a domestic cat: round outline, pad and 4 toes, but no claws in the print (of the 5 front toes the With this brochure the BUND wants to inform you thumb does not appear in the print, the hind paws only about the European wildcat and what it does to pro- have four toes) tect them. And a little bit more: we want to get you Gestation period interested in this project. Help to secure the “safety net 63 – 69 days for the European wildcat“ – support us! Age 7 – 10 years, in captivity more than 15 years Distribution Your BUND Approx. 3,000 – 5,000 in Germany, dispersed in small populations (see map p. 7). German Red List of European wildcat team Threatened , Category 2 (critically endangered) 04 Young animals cannot conquer new territories because cleared agricultural , roads and populated areas European wildcats only live in forests, thus Also other forest animals, such as , prevent them from doing so. they are often called forest cats. In search and surprisingly even many and of mice they prefer to roam the outer and species, depend on camouflage and avoid the cros- inner borders of the . sing of open fields and populated areas.

Small bright glades, hidden meadows in the forests and Without linking-up their habitats and the possibility of quiet fringes of the forest rich in hedgerows are the a genetic exchange and migration these species will not favourite places of the European wildcat. The more di- survive in the long term. Their susceptibility to inbree- verse the inner structures of the woods the deeper they ding and diseases increases. The individual populations Habitat ... advance into them. And vice versa: where bushes and are too small to survive in the long term. hedgerows offer them camouflage European wildcats venture out of the woods. The fate of the European wildcat is thus just one example of the fate awaiting many of the endange- … Threat … red species which are native to Central Europe. As a result, protecting the wildcat helps to protect entire Not so long ago European wildcats lived almost eco-systems. That is why the European wildcat is everywhere in Europe. Today they have disap- called a “target-species” by conservationists. peared from many original habitats or are thre- atened with extinction. … and protection Today the once expansive forests account for approxi- mately only 30 per cent of Germany’s total land area. To ensure the survival of the European wildcat a net- Furthermore, this area often consists of arable forests work of corridors is required which reconnects the fo- poor in structures. The primeval mixed forests rests. When following the wildcat many other animals have become extremely rare. can once again find a place to live in a moul- ded by human beings. Moving to other habitats is almost impossible for the European wildcat because it does not put a paw in cleared landscapes. Ever increasing traffic, settlement areas and agricultural activity in the countryside have driven back forest animals such as the European wild- cat to a few remaining habitats. For a long period of time the survival of the European wildcat was threatened by hunting. Though wildcats are under close season all year round, in many regions they are being shot by hunters because they mistake them for stray cats. Through educational work con- The connectivity of intact forest also helps other ani- servationists are having increasing success in coun- mals, allowing even plants to conquer new habitats. teracting this. Without bushes and trees as hiding spots fields with a width greater than 50 metres present an obstacle. 06

Connecting the Hainich with the Thuringian Fo- The Safety Net for the European Wildcat rest is a first important step on the way to ensu- … and furthermore – ring the survival of the European wildcat. But to Pilot project in … secure this in the long run a lot more has to be the wildcat routing map done. Thus, in September 2007 the BUND pre- sented a wildcat routing map. It shows how the current habitats of the wildcat can be connected with each other and with the forests which could be suitable habitats – both nationwide in Germa- ny as well as beyond its borders.

If the existing forests and planned corridors not yet built are added up, then a network of forests, trees and The so-called green bridges allow wildlife to safely bushes of a length of more than 20,000 kilometres will cross streets and railway tracks. These bridges as well be created in Germany alone (see map next page), ma- as special underpasses play an important role when it king this Central Europe’s biggest nature conservation comes to habitat connectivity. However, they do not 2006 The course of the corridor is set and the route project. The task will take several years as well as re- make sense on their own without being linked up with is inaugurated with a public fun run. More than 2,500 quiring a significant investment of effort and money. a network of green corridors. European wildcats can people celebrate together with the BUND. also swim across unspoilt rivers. It will be easier to achieve this goal if it is possible to integrate local nature protection plans. In individual To ensure the survival of the small tigers in our After intensive preparation the first 20,000 bushes cases these could be statutory “carry-over arrange- countryside the BUND has been working on the and trees were planted in autumn 2007 for a green ments”. In Thuringia, for example, the road construc- “safety net for the European wildcat” since July corridor – a connection of both forests. tion company responsible for the relocation of the - 2004. The vision: a nation-wide network of Before the project could be implemented, employees tobahn A4 near is paying for a large part of wildcat forests in Germany. and BUND volunteers observed the wildcats of the the corridor planting. Hainich for several years, determined the ideal course of the corridor, negotiated with landowners and aut- The wildcat routing map allows people responsible in It all started with a pilot project in Thuringia. The horities, and established financial models. the federal states and communities to integrate their national park Hainich – one of Germany’s most pri- plans in a sensible and coordinated strategy. Apart meval forests – shall be connected with the Thurin- Apart from the network of the forests the second me- from the preparations it will be an important task for gian Forest situated at a distance of 20 kilometres. aning of the word safety net became clear: Only when the BUND to “remind” the authorities of these pos- Both forests are ideal habitats but at the moment the politics, authorities, associations, landowners and sibilities, to accompany these processes and to guide European wildcats only live in the Hainich in larger other parties involved work together it will be possible them with their expertise. In many cases plantings and numbers. The is out of their reach. to save the European wildcat. The BUND in Thuringia land purchases on the part of these authorities will be The first tree is planted. From right to left: Wolfgang succeeded in initiating and leading this dialogue, an necessary to facilitate corridors. Fremuth ( Zoological Society, FZS, project Up to now! example that sets a precedent. promoter), Volker Sklenar – the environment minister for Thuringia, Ron Hoffmann – head of BUND Thuringia, Tho- mas Mölich – BUND project leader, Angelika Zahrnt – the former head of the BUND, Volker Wachendörfer (Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU - German Federal Foundati- on for the Environment, project promoter) 08 The dark green areas show forests which are already populated by European wildcats. The two areas of distribution of the European wildcat in the centre and west of Germany are separated from each other and fragmented. The Bund Naturschutz in Bavaria (BN) was the first regional association of the BUND which Hamburg addressed the issue of European wildcat in a more concerted manner. Even before the first plans for a connection of the forests emerged, the reintroduction of the European wildcat Bremen was given priority in the protection efforts here since 1984. In two breeding and reintroduction centres in the Ba- Berlin varian Forest and in the low range animals are prepared for a life in freedom. In this way --Bergland more than 500 animals have been reintroduced into Harzvorland the part of the known as Vorderer Ba- R a nd p la yerischer Wald, into the Steigerwald and in particular, tt e n d into the Spessart. e s Th ü r i n d ge n Hainich r The Spessart has become home again to the Europe- l a B r g e e c Dresden Rothaargebirge B k es e an wildcat. Increasingly more positive news is coming h n Mountains c s is from other northern Bavarian low mountain ranges s s e H (Rhön, Hassberge, Steigerwald and Fichtelgebirge): the e l European wildcat has been seen there regularly as well. E i f t e r w a l d W e s s N n u u t * It is slowly reconquering its original habitats in those Ta a r ss 0 40 80 km e forests that still provide suitable habitat structures. Frankfurt p S * by reintroduction (start 1984) ü c k ns r The task for the next years to come has to be to pre- H u serve and improve the living conditions for the Eu- ropean wildcat in Bavaria’s forests. The fight of the Forest Vo r d e r e r B a BN against a further fragmentation of the Bavarian y e ri s c h landscape through new traffic routes and the out-of- e r W a control development is not least vitally important to l d The BUND * European Wildcat Project the European wildcat. Munich The basis for a permanent return of the European The BUND European Wildcat Project is gro- wildcat to Bavaria is an improved connection between wing constantly. A summary of current and the Bavarian and the remaining areas of distribution in Germany. planned activities in further regional associa- tions as of 12/07: Wildcat researchers have investigated which forests could be suitable for the European wildcat. These areas are marked in light green. Up to now, these forests are beyond the reach of the wildcat or are rarely accessible because cleared agricultural landscapes, roads and settlements present an obstacle. For more Schorfheide information on the respective forest areas see p. 8 – 12. Lüneburg Heath Colbitz- Letzlinger Heide

F lä m in g

L a us it z Ausläufer Rothaargebrige

Thuringian Forest

Rh ö n

Haßberge Fichtelgebirge

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Franconian e r Switzerland P Steigerwald a la t inate Forest

l b A e h Swabian-Franconian c s i Forest k n ä r

F

ld a w z r a w b h A l c e S h s c b i ä Kaiserstuhl w c S

e n A l p Green corridors connect wildcat forests

The yellow lines show the approximate course of the future connections. In total a network of a length of 20,000 kilometres will be created. The exact course will be determined together with authorities and landowners. The linking-up with international corridors could be the next step.

Legend the German Green Belt wildcat occurrence suitable wildcat habitats wildcat corridors

The light green line shows the German Green Belt: the former border between East and was turned into a nature conservation corridor by the BUND, which offers habi- tats to wildcats as well as other rare and plant species. (www.bund.net) 10 -Württemberg

The BUND’s protection of the European wildcat At the moment European wildcats can be found The European wildcat could be found up until also has a long tradition in Hesse, since the big in Lower Saxony in the Harz Mountains in its the beginning of the 19th century in the un- forest areas in Hesse play a key role as a con- northern foreland including , Radberg fragmented forests beside the and in the necting link between the areas of distribution in as well as the area south of the Siebenköpfe. In as well as in the lowlands of Baden- the centre and west of Germany and thus also the southern and western foreland of the Harz Württemberg around Heilbronn. between Eastern and Western Europe. Mountains the wildcats have advanced across the to , Göttingen and the Hes- The last European wildcat in the federal state was re- sian Uplands. , Brahmwald and Kaufunger gistered in 1912. From that time on it was not possi- As early as the end of the 1980s, the situation of the Forest are also populated with frequent sightings. ble to clearly categorize the reports received. The first European wildcat was addressed in publications and at clear evidence came from the FVA* Baden-Württem- In the north-west they have gradually advanced events. Eventually a project for stocktaking of the Eu- berg (* Education and Research Centre of this ropean wildcats and mapping out the green corridors up into the Deister although their presence here federal state) in 2007 with two dead wildcats started in 2004. In 2007, for example, a wildcat rou- is by no means an established one. being found at the Kaiserstuhl. As a study shows, there is a Single sightings (including paw prints) in previously un- ting map was established for Hesse and the presence strong possibility that the European wildcat is starting populated forest patches demonstrate a high willingness of wildcats was confirmed in the nationalpark In Lower Saxony only Solling and the Harz Mountains to populate the forests of Baden-Württemberg again. to roam, in particular on the part of young tomcats. The recently. or the Harz Mountains and the Lüneburg Heath toge- There are suitable areas of unspoiled nature in particu- many road kills are proof enough of the risks involved. ther offer adequately large habitats capable of suppor- lar in the Black Forest and in the Swabian . Corridors facilitate the safe migration of females and Confirmed populations exist in Rheinhardswald, Meis- ting permanent wildcat populations. males and thus, the development of new populations sner, Kaufunger Forest, Söhre, Ringgau, Knüll, Seu- With the long-term target “from the Palatinate to and the mating among them. lingswald, Spessart, Rothaargebirge Mountains, Rhein- Therefore, the regional association is working on the the Alb” the regional association got involved in “the gau- and Hochtaunus. There were several sightings connection of forest patches between the Harz Moun- safety net for the European wildcat”. The first step is in the Habichts- and Michelsrombacher Forest, while tains and the Heath. The foundation is a routing map to build a green corridor so that the populations with there was just one in Schlitz. The regional hunting as- which is based on the current European wildcat distri- a high number of individuals in the and the sociation also spotted them in , Rhön and bution figures from the responsible statistics agency. have the chance to migrate into the Odenwald. Starting from the north-eastern border of the Harz . Mountains around Bad a corridor route in the From 2008 the exact connection routes have to be direction of the Oderwald is going to be investigated The regional association offers expert advice here to specified on site, gaps have to be closed and the pro- in sections for its continuity and from there to / the authorities of the federal state. The crossing of ject has to be further promoted by public relations . the fragmentation axes Rhine-BAB5-B36-B3-Rhein- work and dialogue. talbahn (Rhine line) between and Necessary measures for closing the gaps shall then be is a particular challenge. The second step is to implemented step-by-step and with the help of coope- connect the south-eastern Black Forest with the Swa- ration partners. Areas along the “German Green Belt” bian Alb via the -Heuberg region. on the former border between East and West Germany are of particular importance. 12 -Palatinate North Rhine-Westphalia European wildcat offices

Almost half of Germany’s wildcat populations There are larger, well-studied wildcat populati- BUND regional associations live in Rhineland-Palatinate. Considering this, ons in the in North Rhine-Westphalia. Also the federal state bears a special responsibility on the right hand side of the Rhine there are Wildkatzenbüro Thüringen – Thomas Mölich (Projektleiter) Wildkatzenbüro in preserving habitats for these populations. wildcats, for example in the Rothaargebirge and Postfach 1108 In addition, connections have to be developed Eggegebirge mountains. Although in these areas Hauptstraße 98 (Schloss) – 99947 Behringen to neighbouring states in the north and east. more detailed investigation is necessary. Tel.: 03 62 54 / 8 59 62 E-Mail: [email protected] Projektmitarbeiterin Sabine Jantschke () The regional association is currently trying to minimi- As first part of the project involved the BUND together Tel.: 03 61 / 5 55 03 18 se further destruction and fragmentation in the plan- with the North Rhine Westphalian Ministry for Nature ning of infrastructural works and new . A first Conservation, the Environment and Consumer Protec- success story is the consensus agreement between the tion adjusting the wildcat routing map according to the Wildkatzenbüro Lower Saxony – Mandy Henning-Hahn BUND with the operator of the airport Frankfurt-Hahn known distribution data for the European wildcat in the Schieferweg 10 – 38640 Tel.: (Mo-Mi): 05 11 / 965 69-0 (BUND LV Nds.) to prevent the clearance of large European wildcat ha- Eifel. The goal is to detect gaps in migration corridors Other BUND regional associations have also fo- Tel.: (Do-Fr): 0 53 21/311 96 30 bitats. and determine which of these gaps shall be closed first. cused on the European wildcat. In Saxony-Anhalt, Fax: 053 21 / 311 94 32 E-Mail: [email protected] for example, the regional association together Based on the nationwide wildcat routing map the fol- This adjustment will also take into consideration data lowing corridors shall be built first: from the project “green line in the west” where the with the Fachhochschule Anhalt are establishing plans for the creation of several wildcat corridors Wildkatzenbüro Ba-Wü – Laura Bollwahn BUND has recorded old Westwall (Siegfried Line) bun- BUND-Landesverband Baden-Württemberg e.V. • Bienwald – Palatinate Forest kers and saved some of them for nature conservation, in the northern area of the Harz Mountains. - Landesgeschäftsstelle Stuttgart • Mittelrhein – // particularly for wildcats. ther focal points will be given priority here in the Paulinenstraße 47 – 70178 Stuttgart • crossing of the motorway A61 in the area of planned public relations works. Tel.: 07 11 / 62 03 06-14 Stromberg and Rheinböllen The second step will involve incorporating areas of North Fax: 07 11 / 62 03 06-77 E-Mail: [email protected] • Palatinate Forest – Northern Palatinate Rhine-Westphalia on the right-hand side of the Rhine Uplands – Hunsrück into the programme, investigating the obvious current dispersal of the European wildcat in these areas and Wildkatzenbüro – Sonja Gärtner Currently there are preparations going on together adjusting the routing map taking this knowledge into BUND Landesverband Hessen e.V. with BUND volunteers to inform the local public of the consideration. Triftstraße 47 – 60528 Frankfurt Tel.: 069 / 67 73 76-16 need for action. The next step is to start building the Fax: 07 21 / 151 41 83 96 corridors together with the cooperation partners. E-Mail: [email protected]

Wildkatzenbüro Bayern – Dr. Kai Frobel Bund Naturschutz in Bayern e.V. For up-to-date information on the safety net for the Referat Arten- und Biotopschutz European wildcat go to: Bauernfeindstraße 23 – 90471 Nürnberg Tel.: 09 11 / 818 78 19 www.bund.net/wildkatze and www.wildkatze.info Fax: 09 11 / 86 95 68 The detailed wildcat routing map with all planned cor- E-Mail: [email protected] ridors can also be found here. (in german) Benutzen Sie bitte diesen Vordruck für die Überweisung des Betrages von Ihrem Konto zur Bareinzahlung. Den Vordruck bitte nicht beschädigen, knicken, bestempeln oder beschmutzen. Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland e.V. (BUND) Mitgliederservice Am Köllnischen Park 1 · 10179 Berlin Mitglieds-Nr . Bitte beachten Sie die Hinweise auf der Rückseite! Kontoinhaber (falls abweichend) Datum, Unterschrift Kontoinhaber ) BLZ - - Adressen Betrag

BUND Landesverbände (LV) Euro

Baden-Württemberg Niedersachsen ...investigate these hair samples in the Paulinenstraße 47 Göbenstraße 3a Employees and BUND volunteers determine laboratory (genetic analysis) to gain a better 70178 Stuttgart 30161 Hannover with the help of a computer the ideal course understand of the degree of relation between Konto-Nr. des Auftraggebers

for the green corridors… the animals ... Kontonummer Bitte hier abtrennen und in beiliegendem Antwortkuvert an uns zurücksenden. Kreditinstitut Tel.: 07 11 / 62 03 06-0, Fax: -77 Tel.: 05 11 / 9 65 69-0, Fax: -27 EZG statt LKW* Ich erteile dem BUND e.V. mit sofortiger Wirkung bis auf Widerruf Einzugsgenehmigung. Meine Bankverbindung lautet: ... control migration by means of ... plant trees ... Beleg / Quittung für den Auftraggeber Empfänger Verwendungszweck Datum Name des Auftraggebers Bank für Sozialwirtschaft in Köln Verwendungszweck SPENDE Beleg/Quittung für den Auftraggeber Empfänger Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz (BUND) Deutschland e.V. Konto-Nr. 8280208 Geldinstitut Quittung des Kreditinstituts bei Barzahlung Zuwendungsbestätigung zur Vorlage beim Finanzamt Zuwendungsbestätigung zur Vorlage Dieser von Ihrem Kreditinstitut bestätigte Zahlungsbeleg gilt, sofern die Zuwendung 200 Euro Wir sind nach nicht dem letzten von übersteigt, des uns Finanzamtes zugegangenen für Freistellungsbescheid als Körperschaften I in Berlin Zuwendungsbestätigung. Landschafts der und Naturschutzes des Förderung wegen vom 27/657/50848) 27.03.2007 (St. Nr. Berlin North Rhine-Westphalia picture traps ... Naturschutzgesetze der und Bundesnaturschutzgesetzes des Sinne im pflege Abs. 5 § nach und des der Umweltschutzes, Länder, des anerkannt Küstenschutzes und des Hochwasser dienend Zwecken gemeinnützigen als schutzes 9 KStG von der Körperschaftssteuer befreit. 1 Nr. bestätigen, Wir im auch ggf. Aufgaben, satzungsgemäßen zu nur Zuwendung die wir dass - Sinne im die fallen, Zwecke Ausland, verwenden werden, die unter Aufgaben satzungsgemäßen die dass - Einkommensteuer-Durchführungsverordnung 2 Abs. 48, § zu - 1 Anlage der 5 als besonders förderungswürdig anerkannt werden. - Abschnitt A Nr. Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland e.V. Name des Auftraggebers Datum/Quittungsstempel

Crellestraße 35 Merowingerstraße 88 10827 Berlin 40225 Düsseldorf E D N E P S Tel.: 030 / 78 79 00-0, Fax: -18 Tel.: 02 11 / 30 20 05-0, Fax: -26

Brandenburg Rhineland-Palatinate Friedrich-Ebert-Straße 114a Gärtnergasse 16 ... and put up “lure 14467 Potsdam 55116 sticks” sprayed with Tel.: 03 31 / 237 00-141, Fax: -145 Tel.: 061 31 / 231 97-3, Fax: -1 valerian onto which the European wildcats Bremen Saarland can rub themselves Am Dobben 44 Evangelisch-Kirch-Straße 8 and leave hair ... 28203 Bremen 66111 Saarbrücken Tel.: 04 21 / 790 02-0, Fax: -90 Tel.: 06 81 / 81 37-00, Fax: -20 The BUND needs your support for this! Everything for the European wildcat 3 7 0 2 5

Bund Naturschutz in Bavaria Saxony Dr.-Johann-Maier-Straße 4 Henriettenstraße 5 93049 09112 Chemnitz Tel.: 09 41 / 297 20-0, Fax: -30 Tel.: 03 71 / 301 47-7, Fax –8

Hamburg Saxony-Anhalt Lange Reihe 29 Olvenstedter Straße 10 20099 Hamburg 39108 Magdeburg Tel.: 040 / 60 03 86-0, Fax: -20 Tel.: 03 91 / 543 33 61, Fax: 541 52 70

Hesse Schleswig-Holstein Triftstraße 47 Lerchenstraße 22 60528 Frankfurt/Main 24103 Kiel Tel.: 069 / 67 73 76-0, Fax: -20 Tel.: 04 31 /660 60-0, Fax: -33

Mecklemburg- Thuringia Zum Bahnhof 20 Trommsdorfstraße 5 19053 Schwerin 99084 Erfurt Tel.: 03 85 / 56 54 70, Fax: 56 36 61 Tel.: 03 61 / 555 03-10, Fax: -19 ank für Sozialwirtschaft in Köln Three of the initiators of the safety net having a conversation with B U N B D e. V. B Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz (BUND) Deutschland e.V. Wildkatze FL Wildkatze the federal president: from left to right: Hubert Weinzierl, 2 0 8 8 2 0

... and talk to the public and politicians Köhler, Dr. Burkhard Vogel and Thomas Mölich BIC: BfS WDE33 IBAN DE24 0500 3702 0008 2802 02 % Credits: responsible: Dr. Norbert Franck copy and editing: Thomas Mölich, Mark Hörstermann design: www.dieprojektoren.de pictures: front page: dpa picture Alliance and picture press; p. 6 top: DEGES; p. 12 top: Rudolf Krumrey; bottom: alimdi; p. 15/16 top left: Jens Weber; top centre: Thomas Mölich, top right: Harald Kleisinger, centre right: Jule Gombert; bottom right: DBU archive, Peter Himsel remaining pictures: Thomas Stephan charts: Marc Venner translation: Romy Bartsch editor: Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland e.V. Friends of the Earth Germany Am Köllnischen Park 1 D-10179 Berlin Tel.: +49 30 / 275 86-40 Fax: +49 30 / 275 86-440