Rescue of the garden sleeper: Cologne relies on immediate protective measures!

Rescue of the garden sleeper: Cologne relies on immediate protective measures!

With the start of the month of July, the focus is on an important project in Cologne, which is dedicated to the decline of a domestic kind. The garden sleeper (Eliomys quercinus) celebrates its 106th mention in Cologne this year, thanks to the zoological pioneering work by Professor Otto Janson, who first put the animal into the spotlight in the summer of 1919. But the location for this charming rodent is anything but rosy. In Europe, the garden sleeper is one of the most endangered mammal species, and its existence is also very declining in Cologne. With a clear geographical border through the urban area, responsibility for the preservation of these species becomes clear.

2018 the Cologne Association initiated the “Spurenschuche Gartenschläfer” project, which is scheduled to run until 2024. The goal is not only to protect the garden sleeper in transition areas between forest and open land, but also the promotion of natural habitats. Concepts are developed in line with nature conservation management in order to recreate previous plantings and to restore natural dynamic influences. In particular, the focus is on areas such as the chess board meadow in Heumar, the Kiesgrubensee Gremberghoven and the Westhoven Aue.

monitoring and research for the protection of the garden sleeper

In order to better protect the garden sleeper, various monitoring and research measures are taken. This includes the care of nesting boxes, the use of photo traps and the development of new methods of detection such as freest search and bioacoustic mapping. It should be mentioned in particular that the noises of the garden sleeper, which can be heard on quiet summer nights, play an important role in communication. Quieken, whistling and purring are not only an expression of district marking, but also indications of dangerous situations - especially during the mating season, these louds are particularly active and diverse.

Another promising research project that is inextricably linked to the garden sleeper was launched by the Justus Liebig University in Gießen and other institutions. This is the nationwide “Garden Sleeper in Germany” project, which aims to research the reasons for the decline in this kind and to develop suitable protective measures. From genetic impoverishment to diseases to the effects of climate change, numerous aspects are examined. This project is financially supported by the federal program biological diversity, which secures funding of around 900,000 euros for the JLU over six years.

responsibility for our wildlife

The importance of the garden sleeper for the ecosystem and species management cannot be assessed highly enough. Germany bears a special responsibility: a large part of the global inventory lives in this country. With regard to the protection of 14 threatened mammals, including not only the garden sleeper, but also a wild cat and otter, the preservation of its habitats is of great value. Numerous initiatives, including the development of an immediate measures for Cologne, show the growing commitment to the protection of this protected species.

Finally, it can be said: The fate of the garden sleeper is in our hands. Through targeted information, excursions or lectures, we can all make a small contribution to ensure that future generations in Cologne not only hear from the stories of the garden sleeper, but also experience it as part of our living nature.

For detailed information about the project work and exciting news about the garden sleeper, interested parties can be the articles from bund-koeln.de , mein-schoener-garten.de and Uni-giessen.de Visit