As in many parts of the world, many species are threatened with extinction in Germany.
We have summarized the endangered species for you.
It is estimated that over 37,000 animal and plant species are threatened with extinction worldwide.
Climate change, hunting and fishing, the destruction of natural habitats and disease threaten the survival of many species.
According to the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, almost a third of mammals in Germany were also endangered in 2020.
Bats
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© Fredrik Von Erichsen / dpa
A particularly large number of bat species are threatened with extinction in Germany.
One of these species is the bat of the genus "gray long-eared".
Many of these bats lose their roosts due to thermal building cleaning.
The decline in insects and the loss of orchards are increasingly exacerbating the situation for bats.
Currently, this bat is critically endangered.
Bats: Many bat species are critically endangered
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© Gareth Jones / dpa
The bat species “great horseshoe bat” is also threatened with extinction in Germany.
Despite intensive efforts and the individual care of some colonies, this species could soon have disappeared from our country.
Bats: Insect diebacks and the decline in orchards are reasons for extinction
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© Bat Conservation Interest Group / dpa
Often humans are responsible for the decline of certain species.
This is particularly true of bats.
Due to massive interventions in the habitats of the animals, the population of the species continues to decline.
This is also the case with the "nymph bat".
The species is a relic of the jungle that is exposed to a particular risk due to logging in its areas of occurrence.
Brown hare
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© Boris Roessler / dpa
The brown hare is one of the less drastically threatened animal species in Germany.
Although it is not acutely threatened with extinction like others, intensification of agriculture and deteriorating living conditions pose a threat to the brown hare.
Brown hares: Intensification of agriculture threatens habitat
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© Daniel Karmann / dpa
According to a census by the German Hunting Association, the numbers of brown hares and other residents of agricultural areas are declining.
The ever increasing expansion of the cultivated area exacerbates the situation.
Pine marten
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© Carsten Rehder / picture alliance / dpa
The pine marten lives mainly in forests and hedges.
The distribution area of the mammal stretches from Portugal to Russia, whereby the population is considered safe throughout Europe.
In Germany, however, the pine marten population is viewed with concern due to increasing land consumption.
Pine marten: Because of its fur, it fell victim to humans again and again
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© Carsten Rehder / picture alliance / dpa
In contrast to its conspecific, the stone marten, the pine marten stays away from humans.
Nevertheless, he often fell victim to people in the past centuries, as his fur was considered a coveted item of clothing.
lynx
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© picture alliance / dpa
There are many predators on the red list of threatened animal species in Germany.
The lynx has been threatened with extinction in the last few years.
But recently, animal rights activists have been able to record significant increases in the number of lynx in its range in Germany.
Lynx: Critically endangered - population is increasing slightly
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© Jens Büttner / dpa
The increase in stocks in Germany can be explained on the one hand by natural immigration and on the other hand by the targeted release of animals into the wild.
In 2018, 77 lynx were counted in Germany
European hamster
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© Uwe Anspach / dpa
While the hamster is a popular pet, especially among children and young people, the European hamster is fighting for the survival of its species. Although the causes are known, the situation of the European hamsters has worsened in recent years.
European hamsters: Agriculture threatens the population of European hamsters
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© Jonas Haubrich / dpa
Efforts to propagate the species with conservation breeding programs have so far not been crowned with success.
Modern agricultural methods as well as land use for urban development and industrial areas further restrict the habitat of the animals.
Baltic gray seal
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© Joe Giddens / dpa
For a long time the Baltic gray seal was threatened with extinction.
But in the last decade there has been a remarkable population growth, especially in the Baltic Sea and around Greifswald.
The Federal Agency for Nature Conservation sees the population still threatened.
Baltic gray seal: population has recovered slightly
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© Meinfelder / dpa
The dangers to the gray seal have changed over time.
After being exterminated in Germany after intensive hunting in 1920, many animals are now perishing as bycatch or in gill nets by fishermen.
Otter
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© Christophe Gateau / dpa
Otters fight their way back into nature.
In recent years, the German otter (Lutra lutra) has seen an increase in the population and significant gains in area.
Otters: population increase and significant area gains
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© Peter Steffen / dpa
Despite this positive news, otters remain at risk.
Traffic deaths and water underpasses that have not been developed appropriately are, among other things, causes of danger.
But the illegal killing of otters also continues to play a role.
Wild cat
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© Swen Pförtner / dpa
Like many other wild animals, the wildcat also fights against an increasing intensification of agricultural and forestry use.
The high volume of traffic on the road also poses a threat to wild animals.
Wildcats: Agriculture and road traffic threaten stocks
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© Martin Schutt / dpa
Mixing wild cats with domestic cats is not an acute problem in Germany, but according to the Federal Ministry for Nature Conservation it could become one.
Nevertheless, it can be said for the wildcat that the population in Germany has developed positively in recent years.
Turtles
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© Patrick Pleul / dpa
The European pond turtle was once widespread across Germany.
It is now acutely threatened with extinction and can only be found in a few concentrated areas.
The population of pond turtles in Germany is mainly endangered by the expansion of traffic and forest roads as well as increasing traffic.
European pond turtle: Once common all over Germany
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© Patrick Pleul / dpa
But the desiccation of the turtle's natural habitats in connection with weather-related dry phases also endangers the population in Germany.
A lesser known problem is the release of other species of turtles from terrariums.
If they breed with pond turtles, this can endanger the genetic integrity of the animals.
Wild rabbit
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© McPHOTO / W.
Rolfes / IMAGO / Blickwinkel
The numbers of wild rabbits in Germany have been falling steadily since 2006.
Experts see disease and epidemics as the greatest threat to the population.
Natural predators include wolves, foxes and weasels, but also birds of prey.
Wild rabbits: Here, too, humans pose the greatest danger
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© McPHOTO / R.
Mueller / IMAGO / Blickwinkel
The greatest danger for wild rabbits, however, is humans. Interfering with the animal's natural habitat causes the rabbit to lose its livelihood - not a purely German problem.
In Spain and Portugal, for example, the population has decreased by up to 95 percent in recent years.
Garden dormouse
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© Alexander Heinl / dpa
According to the information provided by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, little is known about the garden dormouse.
The stocks in its main occurrence areas, such as in the low mountain range, have been poorly investigated.
Nevertheless, the Federal Office sees a decline in the species.
Garden dormouse: already extinct in some parts of Germany
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© picture alliance / dpa
In 2007 the garden dormouse was already extinct in some parts of Germany such as Saxony.
It is also thought-provoking: Nothing is known precisely about the reasons for the extinction.
Polecat
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© Ben Birchall / dpa
Although the polecat is not acutely threatened with extinction, this animal is also endangered.
Road traffic in particular is a permanent source of danger for the polecat.
The animal especially likes to nestle in road embankments.
Another problem is that it cannot find adequate cover on agricultural land.
Polecat: This wild animal is also threatened by road traffic
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© Joachim Neumann / Nabu Leiferde
An additional pollution from living near the street could have reduced the reproduction rate of the polecat.
In the meantime, the polecat can mainly be found in northwestern North Rhine-Westphalia.
Eastern green lizard
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© IMAGO / imagebroker
The "Eastern Green Lizard" is difficult to find in Germany.
The reptile lives on the slopes of the Danube near Passau and in eastern Brandenburg.
The lizard population is particularly endangered in Brandenburg: Experts estimate the population at around 300 specimens.
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© IMAGO / McPHOTO
Animal rights activists see the continued existence of the "Eastern Green Lizard" at risk from unfavorable climatic conditions.
The expansion of roads and the intensive use of arable land also threaten the lizard.
Wall lizard
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© Sina Schuldt / picture alliance / dpa
The wall lizard is strictly protected in Germany and Europe.
The reptile is widespread in large parts of Europe, but the reconstruction of the vineyards is destroying the natural habitat of the wall lizard.
For example, renovation work on walls and construction work on railway lines destroy the animals' places of retreat.
Wall lizard: Your adaptability gives you courage
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© Wolfgang Simlinger / IMAGO
What may be encouraging: the wall lizard is adaptable.
Displacement to areas outside the natural range shows that the reptile can survive in foreign surroundings.
Black rat
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© IMAGO / McPHOTO
The black rat originally comes from the Himalayas in South and East Asia.
Due to the shipping traffic of the last centuries, the adaptable rodent spread across the globe.
The house rat gets competition from the brown rat, which spreads faster - and thus displaces the house rat.
Rat: It has a bad rap
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© IMAGO / Blickwinkel
In Germany the rat population is considered to be endangered.
As a disease carrier, the rat earned a bad reputation, which resulted in the targeted killing of the rodents.
Swamp mouse
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© IMAGO / Blickwinkel
In Germany, the swamp mouse is mainly found along the Elbe.
Although the world population of mammals is considered safe, the swamp mouse is on the red list of endangered animal species in Germany.
Minke whale
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© picture alliance / dpa
The minke whale is not considered endangered internationally.
Although the animal is easy to hunt due to its trustworthiness, the populations remain stable in international comparison.
However, dangers lurk for the whale in the waters off Germany's coasts.
Minke whale: Fatally injured by propellers
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© AGAMI / S.
Geelhoed / IMAGO / Blickwinkel
Above all, the whales fall victim to shipping.
Injuries caused by the propellers lead to the death of the minke whales.
Environmental pollutants also reduce the population.
Porpoise
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© AGAMI / WJ Strietman / IMAGO / blickwinkel
The harbor porpoise can be found in the Baltic and North Seas.
The stocks are particularly threatened in the Baltic Sea.
In the North Sea the population is also at a low level, but there it is stable.
Harbor porpoises also hunt in the Elbe and Weser rivers
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© McPHOTO / W.
Rolfes / IMAGO / Blickwinkel
It sounds unbelievable at first, because you have the whale in your head as an absolute inhabitant of salt water.
But the harbor porpoises actually follow schools of fish far into the Elbe and Weser rivers.
So it happens that the animals are spotted again and again on the Elbe beach in Hamburg.
European green toad
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© McPHOTO / A.
Schauhuber / IMAGO / Blickwinkel
The green toad is on the red list of endangered animal species in Germany.
Suitable spawning waters are becoming increasingly rare in the Federal Republic, as unused fallow land or former excavation pits are being recultivated.
Green toad: One of the most endangered amphibian species in Germany
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© W. Willner / IMAGO / blickwinkel
The green toads are among the most endangered amphibians in Germany.
The reason for this is the dramatic decline in the population, which is mainly due to construction work.
Keeping fish in ponds is also a threat to the toads.
Natterjack toad
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© Pablo Méndez / IMAGO / agefotostock
The natterjack toad can be found almost all over Europe.
Nevertheless, it is considered to be highly endangered in Germany.
Similar to the green toad, the natterjack toad suffers from the loss of its natural habitat.
It feels particularly comfortable in mining areas, as it mainly lives in stony and sandy surroundings.
Natterjack toad: Also endangered in Austria and Switzerland
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© imageBROKER / J.
Fever / IMAGO / imagebroker
In our neighboring countries Austria and Switzerland, the natterjack toad is considered endangered or threatened with extinction.
The Federal Nature Conservation Act places amphibians under strict protection.
Dice snake
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© AGAMI / R.
Olivier / IMAGO / Blickwinkel
The dice snake feels most comfortable near bodies of water.
The natural habitat of the non-poisonous snake stretches from Western Europe to Asia.
In Germany, the dice snake can be found on the banks of the Moselle, Nahe and Lahn.
Water sports and camping endanger the dice snake
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© IMAGO / imagebroker
The dice snake is threatened with extinction in Germany.
Above all, the expansion of roads, locks and weirs intervenes in the natural environment of the snakes.
Leisure activities such as water sports and camping also pose a direct threat to the dice snake.
Aspic viper
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© Pedro Luna / IMAGO / Addictive Stock
The aspis viper occurs in Germany only in Baden-Württemberg.
Above all, the deforestation is responsible for the decline in the population, as the snakes find their natural habitat in the thicket.
Due to the decline in the population, the aspic viper is threatened with extinction in Germany.
Tourists are specifically looking for Aspisvipers
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© IMAGO / Blickwinkel
The rare Aspisvipers are only found in a few regions of Baden-Württemberg.
In addition to road traffic, tourists are increasingly posing a threat to the animals. Due to their rarity, the snakes specifically attract people who are looking for aspisvipers.
wolf
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© Carsten Rehder / picture alliance / dpa
The wolf polarizes: The predator poses a threat to shepherds and grazing animal owners, animal rights activists are calling for further protective measures.
According to estimates by the German Hunting Association, there are currently 1,300 wolves in Germany.
The packs feel particularly at home in the eastern federal states.
Only in this century does the population of wolves recover
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© Boris Roessler / picture alliance / dpa
In the 18th century the wolf was largely exterminated in most areas of today's Federal Republic.
It was not until 2000 that the first attempts at breeding began, which led to a growing population.
Nevertheless, the wolf is considered endangered: road traffic and illegal killings threaten the population.
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