Alien species in Germany: The raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides – Ecology, situation analysis and relevance for animal diseases and nature conservation

The raccoon dog, a fox sized canid species of the eastasian fauna, is established in Central Europe for some decades and extends its settlement area increasingly west- and southwards. Successful alien species could have negative impacts on native ecosystems and therefore are so called “invasive” species. In this context a final valuation of the raccoon dog until now is not possible. In the point of view of nature conservation there is a critical assessment about its potential effect as predator especially of ground nesting birds. This animal is also relevant as vector for parasites / zoonosis and animal diseases. Main topics of this research project are questions about habitat use and diet selection of the raccoon dog living in agricultural landscape. The 60 km² sized study area for radio telemetry is located in the Niederlausitz in South Brandenburg; the hunting bag of three years and three counties of South Brandenburg were source for individuals used in disections (analysis of stomach contents and gonads, studies of infestation with rabies virus /rabies antibodies and fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis).

contact person: Astrid Sutor
Email: Astrid.Sutor@fli.bund.de

Start of project: 2001
End of project: 2010

Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg
Sutor A
Professur für Wildtierökologie und Wildtiermanagement
Prof. Dr. Storch
Tennenbacher Str. 4
79106 Freiburg
Germany

Phone: + 49 (0) 761 203 - 3663
Fax: + 49 (0) 761 203 - 3667
http://www.wildlife.uni-freiburg.de
Actual Research Report

• Sutor A, Kauhala, K, Ansorge, H: Diet of the raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides – a canid with an opportunistic foraging strategy Acta Theriol, 2010; 55 (2): 165-176. : http://dx.doi.org/10.4098/j.at.0001-7051.035.2009
• Sutor A: Dispersal of the Alien Raccoon Dog Nyctereutes Procyonoides in Southern Brandenburg, Germany Eur J Wildlife Res, 2008; 54 (2): 321-326.
• Sutor A: Der Marderhund Nyctereutes procyonoides als potenzieller Prädator bodenbrütender Vögel ? – Auswahl brandenburgischer Ergebnisse Vogelwelt, 2005; 126: 376-378.