Nyctereutes procyonoides (Gray, 1834)

English Raccoon dog Status LU: casual. First record: 2021.
Lëtzebuergesch Marderhond1 Status Eur.: established. IAS of EU concern (2017).
Français Chien viverrin RA: ISEIA: C1. Harmonia+: n/a.
Deutsch Marderhund Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Raccoon dog Wikipedia - Français - Chien viverrin Wikipedia - Deutsch - Marderhund Wikipedia - Nederlands - Wasbeerhond | Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Nyctereutes procyonoides | CABI
Nederlands Wasbeerhond Back to the list of vertebrates

Brief description

Specimen of Nyctereutes procyonoides from the MNHNL collection. Origin, date and location unknown.

Nyctereutes procyonoides (Gray, 1834) often lives near water and prefers moist deciduous or mixed forests with abundant undergrowth. It may also occur in wetlands and in a mosaic of woodlands and agricultural areas. The raccoon dog is an opportunistic omnivore with a very wide food niche and is an excellent disperser. It has been reported to cause severe damage to amphibians, waterfowl colonies and tetraonid birds and may compete with native species such as red foxes and badgers.

The raccoon dog is a small canine species (weighing 3-7 kg) originally from East Asia. Between 1929 and 1955, about 9,000 raccoon dogs were released for hunting purposes in the European part of Russia and Ukraine. From there, the species spread rapidly westwards (Naturverwaltung, 2021).

IAS of Union concern

In 2017, Nyctereutes procyonoides (Gray, 1834) was added to the list of invasive alien species of Union concern (Anonymous, 2017) which implies that member states shall take all necessary steps to prevent its unintentional introduction or spread.

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Records of Nyctereutes procyonoides (Gray, 1834) in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2024-12-23.

On 2021-02-03, a raccoon dog was officially recorded for the first time in Luxembourg, in Bettembourg (Naturverwaltung 2021, Schley et al 2021). It can be assumed that the raccoon dog has been sporadically present in the country for a long time; however, as the species is very discreet, it is often not detected for a long time. In recent years, the nature and forest administration has received several indications of raccoon dogs, which, however, were mostly unverifiable (Naturverwaltung 2012). In the few cases where photos or even roadkill were available, it was always a badger or raccoon; for the layman, the latter especially looks very similar to the raccoon dog at first sight. In Luxembourg, according to the 2011 hunting law, the raccoon dog may be hunted all year round – with the exception of the 6-week hunting rest period from 1 March to 15 April.

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

Following its first confirmed record in Luxembourg on 2021-02-03, the species has been reassessed on 2021-03-12 to C1 (3+3+1+1) by Manou Pfeiffenschneider & Christian Ries. Assessment before the appearance of the species in Luxembourg: C0 (3+3+1+1) (Ries et al. 2014: 199).

Harmonia+ protocol

Not assessed yet.

Worldwide distribution

Bibliography

  • Anonymous, 2017. Commission implementing regulation (EU) 2017/1263 of 12 July 2017 updating the list of invasive alien species of Union concern established by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1141 pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council. Official Journal of the European Union L 182: 37-39 (13.7.2017).
  • CABI, 2019. Nyctereutes procyonoides (Gray, 1834). In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. URL: www.cabi.org/isc [accessed 2020-04-22]
  • Hagen, S., 2021. E Marderhond zu Lëtzebuerg. De Panewippchen 134 (1/2021): 15.
  • Kirsch, E., K. Klein, L. Bonblet, M. Weishaar, T. Duscher, T. De Sousa & M. Jacobs, 2021. Waschbären & Marderhunde in Luxemburg. 48 S. Hrsg.: Administration de la nature et des forêts (ANF) & Musée national d’histoire naturelle (MNHNL). [PDF >5 MB]
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2019. MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2019-10-25]
  • Naturverwaltung (ed.), 2012. Technischer Bericht der Naturverwaltung betreffend Wildtiermanagement und Jagd, Nummer 2 (2012), 68 pp.
  • Naturverwaltung (ed.), 2013. Jagbare Wildtierarten Luxemburgs. 96 pp.
  • Naturverwaltung, 2021. Marderhund erstmals in Luxemburg nachgewiesen (08.02.2021). Communiqué de presse par courriel du Service information et presse du gouvernement luxembourgeois.
  • Ries, C., M. Pfeiffenschneider, Engel, E., J.-C. Heidt & M. Lauff, 2014. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of vertebrates in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 115: 195-201. [PDF 247 KB]
  • Schley, L., C. Schanck, M. Schaul & C. Sinner, 2001. Neubürger und Heimkehrer unter den Wildtieren Luxemburgs. Beiträge zur Jagd- und Wildforschung 26: 141-154.
  • Schley L., M. Jacobs, T. De Sousa & J. Hatlauf, 2021. First record of the raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides (Gray, 1834) in Luxembourg. Belgian Journal of Zoology 151: 57–61. https://doi.org/10.26496/bjz.2021.85
  • Schley, L. & J. Herr, 2018. Säugetiere Luxemburgs. Natur&ëmwelt, Ministère du Développement durable et des Infrastructures & Administration de la nature et des forêts, Luxembourg, 220 p.
  • Wörterbuchkommission (Hrsg.), 1987. Luxemburger Wörterbuch. 5 Bd. Im Auftrag der Grossherzoglichen Luxemburgischen Regierung. Linden, Luxemburg.

 Page content last updated on 2022-02-18. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2021-02-09.

  1. The actual common name for martens is “Marder” (Schley & Herr 2018) → “Marderhond”. An outdated name, occasionally used by older people, is “Mardéier” (Wörterbuchkommission 1987) → “Mardéierhond”.[]

Trachemys scripta elegans (Wied-Neuwied, 1839)

English Red-eared slider Status LU: established. 1st record: ?
Lëtzebuergesch Routbaken-Deckelsmouk Status Eur.: established. IAS of EU concern (2016).
Français Tortue de Floride RA: ISEIA: C1. Harmonia+: 0,10
Deutsch Rotwangen-Schmuckschildkröte Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Red-eared slider Wikipedia - Français - Tortue de Floride Wikipedia - Deutsch - Rotwangen-Schmuckschildkröte Wikipedia - Nederlands - Roodwangschildpad | Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Trachemys scripta elegans
Nederlands Roodwangschildpad Back to the list of vertebrates

Brief description

Tortoise1 cepolina Trachemys scripta elegans (Wied-Neuwied, 1839) is a semiaquatic turtle belonging to the family Emydidae. It is a subspecies of the pond slider and is popular as a pet across the world. Because of this, they are the most commonly traded turtle in the world. Red-eared sliders are native to the southern United States and northern Mexico, but have become established in other places because of pet releases, and have become an invasive species in many areas where they outcompete native species. The red-eared slider is included in the list of the world’s 100 most invasive species published by the IUCN. When they mature they can inflict painful bites, leading irresponsible owners to release them into the wild with negative ecological, social and, economic impacts (Wikipedia contributors 2020).

The competitive advantages of the slider may include lower age at maturity, higher fecundity, and larger adult body size. Turtles may compete for food, egg-laying sites, or basking places. Other studies have also shown red-eared sliders to compete with indigenous species for food and basking sites. Competitive interactions between T. scripta elegans and the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) are of particular interest, as the latter is registered as an endangered species (Appendix II of the Bern Convention). Turtles introduced near Paris were revealed to have consumed aquatic plants and animals (mostly arthropods and molluscs). Continuous releasing of exotic pet turtles in natural ecosystems increases the risk of parasite transmission to native species; the red-eared slider is known to carry nematodes. Reptiles, including turtles, are well-recognised reservoirs for Salmonella, and are a source of human salmonellosis (Global Invasive Species Database 2020).

IAS of Union concern

In 2016, the species Trachemys scripta (Thunberg in Schoepff, 1792), to which belongs the present subspecies Trachemys scripta elegans, was added to the list of invasive alien species of Union concern (Anonymous 2016) under it’s synonym Trachemys scripta (Schoepff, 1792). This implies that member states shall take all necessary steps to prevent it’s unintentional introduction or spread.

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Records of Trachemys scripta elegans Wied-Neuwied, 1839 in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2024-12-23.

Currently, 15 records of Trachemys scripta elegans (Wied-Neuwied, 1839) in Luxembourg are accessible through the MNHNL-mdata portal (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2020).

Notwithstanding the EU import suspension of this species since 1997, every year new records of this turtle are reported in most European countries, due to ongoing dumping of animals formerly kept as pets into the wild. Occurrences in Luxembourg include the gravel pit area in Remerschen-Wintringen, the Lower Sauer close to Diekirch, the Brill area in Schifflange, the ponds Braakeweier (Kockelscheuer) and Gipsweieren (Bridel/Steinsel) and the Alzette north of Hunsdorf.

In 2024, some 340 records of the two subspecies Trachemys scripta scripta (Thunberg in Schoepff, 1792) and Trachemys scripta elegans (Wied-Neuwied, 1839) in Luxembourg are accessible through the MNHNL-mdata portal (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2024).The status of these two taxa remains unclear though.

Invasive pond sliders have been observed climbing the platforms of waterbirds, especially great crested grebes (Podiceps cristatus), to sunbathe, thus preventing successful breeding (Konter 2020: 81). Although there is currently every indication that turtle hatchlings are unable to produce viable embryos in the climatic conditions currently prevailing in Luxembourg, this could change with global warming (De Sousa 2020).

Records of Trachemys scripta (Thunberg in Schoepff, 1792) in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2024-12-23.

Management

Action plan

An action plan concerning the two subspecies has been published in 2020:

Finalised Action Plan for Trachemys scripta (De Sousa 2020)

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

C1 (1+2+3+1) (Ries et al. 2014: 199).

Harmonia+ protocol

Overall risk score 0,10 = (Overall Invasion score 0,53 x Overall Impact score 0,18) (evaluated by Sandra Cellina, Roland Proess and Manou Pfeiffenschneider).

0,53Invasion
0,18Impact
0,10Risk

Worldwide distribution

Fact sheet

PDF fact sheet of the Nature and Forestry Administration: FR | DE

Other Trachemys taxa

The pond slider Trachemys scripta (Thunberg in Schoepff, 1792) has three subspecies (Wikipedia contributors 2020b), of which the first two occur in Luxembourg:

  • Trachemys scripta scripta (Thunberg in Schoepff, 1792), the yellow-bellied slider;
  • Trachemys scripta elegans (Wied-Neuwied, 1839), the red-eared slider;
  • Trachemys scripta troostii (Holbrook, 1836), the Cumberland slider. According to GBIF (2019b) this subspecies is already present in Europe (Belgium, The netherlands, Germany, Poland and Spain)

Bibliography

  • Anonymous, 2016. Commission implementing regulation (EU) 2016/1141 of 13 July 2016 adopting a list of invasive alien species of Union concern pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council. Official Journal of the European Union L 189: 4-5.
  • De Sousa, T., 2020. Plan d’action pour espèces exotiques envahissantes au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg: la Tortue de Floride, Trachemys scripta ssp. (Schoepff, 1792). Version 2020-09-04. Administration de la nature et des forêts, Luxembourg. 24 pp.
  • GBIF, 2019a. Trachemys scripta subsp. elegans (Wied, 1838) in GBIF Secretariat (2019). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei [accessed 2020-04-27]
  • GBIF, 2019b. Trachemys scripta subsp. troostii (Holbrook, 1836) in GBIF Secretariat (2019). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei accessed via GBIF.org on 2020-04-27.
  • Global Invasive Species Database, 2020. Species profile: Trachemys scripta elegans. URL: http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/speciesname/Trachemys+scripta+elegans [accessed 2020-05-07].
  • Konter, A., 2020. Schmuckschildkröten Trachemys scripla verhindern mehrere Haubentaucherbruten Podiceps cristalus auf dem Echternacher See. Regulus Wissenschaftliche Berichte 35: 81-86.
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2020. in MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [accessed 2020-04-27]
  • Proess, R. (éd.), 2007. Verbreitungsatlas der Reptilien des Großherzogtums Luxemburg. Ferrantia 52, Musée national d’histoire naturelle, Luxembourg, ISSN 1682-5519, 58 pp.
  • Ries, C., M. Pfeiffenschneider, Engel, E., J.-C. Heidt & M. Lauff, 2014. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of vertebrates in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 115: 195-201. [PDF 247 KB]
  • Wikipedia contributors, 2020. ‘Red-eared slider’, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 23 March 2020, 02:48 UTC, <https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Red-eared_slider&oldid=946907243> [accessed 2020-04-27]

 Page content last updated on 2024-07-31. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-29.

Neovison vison (Schreber, 1777)

English American mink Status LU: absent.
Lëtzebuergesch Amerikaneschen Näerz1 Status Eur.: established.
Français Vison d’Amérique RA: ISEIA: A0, Alert List. Harmonia+: 0,21
Deutsch Amerikanischer Nerz, Mink Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - American mink Wikipedia - Français - Vison d'Amérique Wikipedia - Deutsch - Amerikanischer Nerz Wikipedia - Nederlands - Amerikaanse nerts | Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Neovison vison | CABI
Nederlands Amerikaanse nerts Back to the list of vertebrates

Brief description

Mink with catch

A mink with its catch at Litløy fyr, Vesterålenn, Norway.

In both its native and introduced ranges, Neovison vison (Schreber, 1777) is commonly found on brook and riverbanks with dense vegetation, damp forests, reed beds and marshes. Individuals escaping from fur farms have established feral populations in many European countries. Whereas this species has already been observed in the wild several times in Belgium, it has not been reported to have developed viable populations so far. M. vison may severely reduce prey populations (salmonids, amphibians, waterfowl, rodents, etc.) and is a serious threat for red-listed ground-nesting birds. It is also suspected of displacing its relative, the European mink Mustela lutreola, and the European polecat Mustela putorius (Branquart et al. 2013).

The European mink became endangered in the 20th Century, as a result of hunting for the fur trade, habitat loss and invasive alien species, especially the American mink (Wikipedia contributors 2020).

Controversy on listing as IAS of Union concern

The American mink has been the subject of intense discussion, both within the EU Scientific Forum on IAS and the EU Committee on IAS, opposing Northern European countries where breeding for the fur trade is practised versus other EU member countries concerned by the impacts of the invasive species. Scientific reports (e.g. Roy 2017) and publications have emerged from this controversy. Some stakeholders expressed their consternation that the American mink  has not been included in the list (e.g. Swabe 2019).

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

The first documented occurrence of Neovison vison (Schreber, 1777) in Luxembourg dates from March 1993, when a mink was caught in a trap by a hunter in the vicinity of the village of Manternach (Municipality of Manternach). A second record dates back to 2013 (Schley & Herr 2019: 62), when the carcass of a sick animal was found in a forest near Esch-sur-Alzette and sent to the Nature and Forest Administration (Schley 2020).

It is not known whether there is an established population of American mink in Luxembourg (Schley 2001).

There is no distribution map available because no data has been entered into the Recorder-Lux database so far (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2019).

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

A0 (3+3+3+2) = Alert List (Ries et al. 2014: 199).

Harmonia+ protocol

Overall risk score 0,21 = (Overall Invasion score 0,54 x Overall Impact score 0,39) (evaluated by Sandra Cellina, Jan Herr and Manou Pfeiffenschneider).

0,54Invasion
0,39Impact
0,21Risk

Worldwide distribution

Bibliography

  • Branquart, E., M. D’aes, B. Manet, G. Motte, V. Schockert, J. Stuyck & K. Van Den Berge, 2013. Harmonia database: Mustela vison (Schreber, 1777). Harmonia version 1.2, Belgian Forum on Invasive Species. URL: http://ias.biodiversity.be [accessed on 2019-10-24]
  • CABI, 2014. Neovison vison (Schreber, 1777) [text by ISSG, update by Santiago Palazón]. In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. URL: www.cabi.org/isc [accessed 2020-02-04]
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2019. MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2019-10-24]
  • Naturverwaltung (ed.), 2013. Jagbare Wildtierarten Luxemburgs. 96 pp.
  • Pir, J.B. & L. Schley, 2015. Développement des connaissances sur la répartition et l’écologie des mammifères au Luxembourg entre 1990 et 2015. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 116: 437-455.
  • Ries, C., M. Pfeiffenschneider, Engel, E., J.-C. Heidt & M. Lauff, 2014. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of vertebrates in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 115: 195-201. [PDF 247 KB]
  • Roy, S. 2017. Information on measures and related costs in relation to species considered for inclusion on the Union list: Neovison vison. Technical note prepared by IUCN for the European Commission.
  • Schley, L., 2001. First Record of the American Mink Mustela vison (Mammalia, Mustelidae) in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 102: 45-48. [PDF 215 Kb]
  • Schley, L., 2020. Personal communication by phone to C. Ries on 2020-02-04.
  • Schley, L., C. Schanck, M. Schaul & C. Sinner, 2001. Neubürger und Heimkehrer unter den Wildtieren Luxemburgs. Beiträge zur Jagd- und Wildforschung 26: 141-154.
  • Schley, L. & J. Herr, 2019. Säugetiere Luxemburgs. Hrsg.: natur&ëmwelt a.s.b.l., Ministère du développement durable et des infrastructures, Administration de la nature et des forêts. 219 S. ISBN 978-2-9199511-0-9 [French edition: Les mammifères du Luxembourg, ISBN 978-2-9199511-2-3]
  • Swabe, J. 2019. Feedback from: Humane Society International/Europe (Netherlands) on the Updated list of invasive non-native species in the EU. Feedback reference F461527. URL: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/initiatives/ares-2019-1565888/feedback/F461527_en?p_id=4101650
  • Wikipedia contributors, 2020. ‘European mink’, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_mink#Competition_with_the_American_Mink_and_disease [accessed 2020-02-05]

 Page content last updated on 2024-03-13. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-28.

  1. Näerz: cf. Wörterbuchkommission (Hrsg.), 1987. Luxemburger Wörterbuch. 5 Bd. Im Auftrag der Grossherzoglichen Luxemburgischen Regierung. Linden, Luxemburg.[]

Myocastor coypus (Molina, 1782)

English Coypu Status LU: casual. 1st record: 1954.
Lëtzebuergesch Biwerrat Status Eur.: established. IAS of Union concern (2016).
Français Ragondin RA: ISEIA: A1, Black List. Harmonia+: 0,33
Deutsch Nutria Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Coypu Wikipedia - Français - Ragondin Wikipedia - Deutsch - Nutria Wikipedia - Nederlands - Beverrat | Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Myocastor coypus | CABI
Nederlands Beverrat Back to the list of vertebrates

Brief description

Myocastor coypus 02

Nutria, river Ljubljanica, Slovenia, January 2011.

Myocastor coypus (Molina, 1782) is a large, herbivorous, semiaquatic rodent. The coypu lives in burrows alongside stretches of water, and feeds on river plant stems. Originally native to subtropical and temperate South America, it has since been introduced to North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, primarily by fur farmers (Wikipedia contributors 2019).

Overgrazing by nutria causes the local extinction of aquatic plants and the destruction of reedbeds and fish nursery areas. Due to its burrowing activity, it degrades river banks and affects river flow. Rare marshbirds are affected by nest destruction, egg predation or habitat destruction. Nutria could also act as a reservoir for different pathologies and cause damage to agriculture. Nutria is included in the appendix under the recommendation no 77 of the Council of Europe as a species which has proved to be a threat to biological diversity and for which eradication is strongly recommended (Branquart et al. 2013).

IAS of Union concern

In 2016, Myocastor coypus (Molina, 1782) was added to the list of invasive alien species of Union concern (Anonymous 2016) which implies that member states shall take all necessary steps to prevent it’s unintentional introduction or spread.

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Records of Myocastor coypus Molina, 1782 in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2024-12-23.

Myocastor coypus was first documented in Luxembourg in February 1954 near the Alzette river in Hunsdorf, Municipality of Lorentzweiler (Heuertz 1957: 50).

A few years ago, it was only observed sporadically in Luxembourg and could not manage to establish (Schley & Herr 2009: 170). In 2024, already 96 observations have been documented in the national database , two thirds of them since 2020 (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2024) .

On 19th September 2017, a forester captured a coypu in Osweiler (commune of Rosport, eastern Luxembourg) and put it to sleep. This detection of an IAS of Union concern (Anonymous 2016) was notified to the Luxembourg authorities on 26 September 2017 and an Eradication Measure Set was also submitted on 26 September 2017, pursuant to Article 17(1) of R. 1143/2014 (Anonymous 2014).

Since then, the species was observed on regular basis in Luxembourg. It has to be considered as established at least in the Haff Réimech area. Because of its occurrence in the bordering regions of France (Chiers, Moselle) and Germany (Saar), it is likely that the species will continue to populate national watercourses (Becker-Krüll & Schaefer 2013).

Management

Action plan

An action plan for the species has been published in 2020:

Finalised Action Plan for Myocastor coypus (De Sousa 2020)

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

A1 (3+3+2+3) = Black List, reassessed on 25 October 2019 by C. Ries & M. Pfeiffenschneider. First assessed as C0 (3+2+1+1) (Ries et al. 2014: 199).

Harmonia+ protocol

Overall risk score 0,33 = (Overall Invasion score 0,48 x Overall Impact score 0,67) (evaluated by Sandra Cellina, Jan Herr and Manou Pfeiffenschneider).

0,48Invasion
0,67Impact
0,33Risk

Worldwide distribution

Fact sheet

PDF fact sheet of the Nature and Forestry Administration: FR | DE

Bibliography

  • Anonymous, 2014. Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species. Official Journal of the European Union 4.11.2014 L 317: 35-55.
  • Anonymous, 2016. Commission implementing regulation (EU) 2016/1141 of 13 July 2016 adopting a list of invasive alien species of Union concern pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council. Official Journal of the European Union L 189: 4-5.
  • Becker-Krüll, L. & P. Schaefer, 2013. Jagdbare Wildtierarten Luxemburgs. Administration de la nature et des forêts, Luxembourg, 96 pp.
  • Branquart, E., M. D’aes, B. Manet, G. Motte, V. Schockert & J. Stuyck, 2013. Harmonia database: . Harmonia version 1.2, Belgian Forum on Invasive Species. URL: http://ias.biodiversity.be [accessed on 2019-10-25]
  • CABI, 2008. Myocastor coypus (Molina, 1782) [original text by Dr. Sandro Bertolino & IUCN/SSC]. In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. URL: www.cabi.org/isc [accessed 2019-11-22]
  • De Sousa, T., 2020. Plan d’action pour espèces exotiques envahissantes au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg: le Ragondin, Myocastor coypus (Molina, 1792). Version 2020-09-04. Administration de la nature et des forêts, Luxembourg. 21 pp.
  • Heuertz, M., 1957. Premières captures de rats musqués (Ondatra zibethicus L.) au grand-duché de Luxembourg. Archives de la section des sciences de l’Institut grand-ducal N.S. 24: 41-51.
  • MNHNL, 2000-. Myocastor coypus (Molina, 1782) in Recorder-Lux, database on the natural heritage of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Musée national d’histoire naturelle, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2020-02-04]
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2019. Myocastor coypus (Molina, 1782) in MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2020-02-04]
  • Pir, J.B. & L. Schley, 2015. Développement des connaissances sur la répartition et l’écologie des mammifères au Luxembourg entre 1990 et 2015. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 116: 437-455.
  • Ries, C., M. Pfeiffenschneider, Engel, E., J.-C. Heidt & M. Lauff, 2014. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of vertebrates in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 115: 195-201. [PDF 247 KB]
  • Schley, L., C. Schanck, M. Schaul & C. Sinner, 2001. Neubürger und Heimkehrer unter den Wildtieren Luxemburgs. Beiträge zur Jagd- und Wildforschung 26: 141-154.
  • Schley, L. & J. Herr, 2019. Säugetiere Luxemburgs. Hrsg.: natur&ëmwelt a.s.b.l., Ministère du développement durable et des infrastructures, Administration de la nature et des forêts. 219 S. ISBN 978-2-9199511-0-9 [French edition: Les mammifères du Luxembourg, ISBN 978-2-9199511-2-3]
  • Wikipedia contributors, 2019. ‘Coypu’, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 17 October 2019. URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Coypu&oldid=921725301 [accessed 25 October 2019]

 Page content last updated on 2024-07-31. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-27.

Ondatra zibethicus (Linnaeus, 1766)

English Muskrat Status LU: established. 1st record: 1954.
Lëtzebuergesch Bisamrat Status Eur.: established. IAS of EU concern (2017).
Français Rat musqué RA: ISEIA: B3, Watch List. Harmonia+: n/a.
Deutsch Bisamratte Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Muskrat Wikipedia - Français - Rat musqué Wikipedia - Deutsch - Bisamratte Wikipedia - Nederlands - Muskusrat | Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Ondatra zibethicus | CABI
Nederlands Muskusrat Back to the list of vertebrates

Brief description

Overgrazing by muskrats can cause the local extinction of aquatic plants and the destruction of reed beds and of fish nursery areas. Due to its burrowing activity, the species degrades river banks and affects river flow. It can exert a strong predation pressure and threaten freshwater mussel and crustacean populations. It could also act as a reservoir for different pathologies and causes damage to agriculture. The muskrat is included in the appendix under recommendation no 77 of the Council of Europe as a species which has proved to be a threat to biological diversity and for which eradication is strongly recommended (Branquart et al. 2011).

IAS of Union concern

In 2017, Ondatra zibethicus L. was added to the list of invasive alien species of Union concern (Anonymous 2017) which implies that member states shall take all necessary steps to prevent it’s unintentional introduction or spread.

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Records of Ondatra zibethicus Linnaeus, 1766 in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2024-12-23.

The first documented occurrence of Ondatra zibethicus L. in Luxembourg dates from 1954. It was found by zoologist Joseph Hoffmann (1911-2000) on 17th August 1954 in the resected meander named “Al Mudder” near Pettingen, Municipality of Mersch (Heuertz 1957: 43; MNHNL 2000-). The invasion originated in the Lorraine Moselle. Since then, the species has spread and has achieved a nationwide distribution (Schley & Herr 2019: 168).

In 2024, 419 observations of species in Luxembourg are accessible through the MNHNL-mdata portal (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2024).

Historical note: because of the threat of an invasion from the Belgian-Dutch border, where the muskrat had escaped from farms, the Luxembourg Water and Forest Directorate issued a grand ducal decree on 17 December 1930 prohibiting, inter alia, its import to or its transport in the grand duchy (Heuertz 1957: 46-47).

Management

Action plan

An action plan concerning the muskrat has been published in 2020:

Finalised Action Plan for Ondatra zibethicus (De Sousa & Lestang 2020)

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

B3 (3+3+3+1) = Watch List (Ries et al. 2014: 199).

Harmonia+ protocol

Not assessed yet.

Fact sheet

PDF fact sheet of the Nature and Forestry Administration: FR | DE

Worldwide distribution

Bibliography

  • Anonymous, 2017. Commission implementing regulation (EU) 2017/1263 of 12 July 2017 updating the list of invasive alien species of Union concern established by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1141 pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council. Official Journal of the European Union L 182: 37-39 (13.7.2017).
  • Branquart, E., M. D’aes, B. Manet, G. Motte, V. Schockert & J. Stuyck, 2011. Harmonia database: Ondatra zibethicus L.. Harmonia version 1.2, Belgian Forum on Invasive Species. URL: http://ias.biodiversity.be [accessed on 2019-10-28]
  • CABI, 2009. Ondatra zibethicus L. [original text by Patrick Triplet]. In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. URL: www.cabi.org/isc [accessed 2020-02-04]
  • De Sousa, T. & L. Lestang, 2020. Plan d’action pour espèces exotiques envahissantes au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg: le Rat musqué, Ondatra zibethicus (Linnaeus, 1766). Version 2020-09-04. Administration de la nature et des forêts, Luxembourg. 21 pp.
  • Heuertz, M., 1957. Premières captures de rats musqués (Ondatra zibethicus L.) au grand-duché de Luxembourg. Archives de la section des sciences de l’Institut grand-ducal N.S. 24: 41-51.
  • MNHNL, 2000-. Ondatra zibethicus L. in Recorder-Lux, database on the natural heritage of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Musée national d’histoire naturelle, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2020-02-04]
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2019. Ondatra zibethicus L. in MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2020-02-04]
  • Naturverwaltung (ed.), 2013. Jagbare Wildtierarten Luxemburgs. 96 pp.
  • Pir, J.B. & L. Schley, 2015. Développement des connaissances sur la répartition et l’écologie des mammifères au Luxembourg entre 1990 et 2015. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 116: 437-455.
  • Ries, C., M. Pfeiffenschneider, Engel, E., J.-C. Heidt & M. Lauff, 2014. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of vertebrates in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 115: 195-201. [PDF 247 KB]
  • Schley, L., C. Schanck, M. Schaul & C. Sinner, 2001. Neubürger und Heimkehrer unter den Wildtieren Luxemburgs. Beiträge zur Jagd- und Wildforschung 26: 141-154.
  • Schley, L. & J. Herr, 2019. Säugetiere Luxemburgs. Hrsg.: natur&ëmwelt a.s.b.l., Ministère du développement durable et des infrastructures, Administration de la nature et des forêts. 219 S. ISBN 978-2-9199511-0-9 [French edition: Les mammifères du Luxembourg, ISBN 978-2-9199511-2-3]

 Page content last updated on 2024-07-31. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-28.

Ovis aries musimon (Pallas, 1811)

English Mouflon Status LU: established. 1st record: 1905.
Lëtzebuergesch Mouflon[ref name=”DFL”]Derrmann-Loutsch, L., 2006. Dictionnaire Français-luxembourgeois. Luxembourg: Éd. Saint-Paul. 606 S. ISBN 978-2-87963-634-4[/ref], Muffel(-schof) Status Eur.: established.
Français Mouflon RA: ISEIA: C2. Harmonia+: n/a.
Deutsch Mufflon Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Mouflon Wikipedia - Français - Mouflon Wikipedia - Deutsch - Mufflon Wikipedia - Nederlands - Moeflon | Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Ovis aries | CABI
Nederlands Moeflon Back to the list of vertebrates

Notes on taxonomy and nomenclature

On February 4, 2020, we changed the title of this page from Ovis ammon (Linnaeus, 1758) to Ovis aries musimon (Pallas, 1811) according to the CABI fact sheet: “Given that it is generally assumed that European mouflons are feral populations of ancient domestic stocks, it is advisable to denominate them taxonomically as Ovis aries (…), subspecies musimon, which is the name used in this datasheet, following ITIS (2016)” (CABI 2016). For more details read the detailed “Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature” in the CABI fact sheet (CABI 2016).

The distribution of the species at GBIF is split due to the use of several synonyms, e.g. Ovis ammon (Linnaeus, 1758) (GBIF 2020a) and Ovis aries musimon (Pallas, 1811) (GBIF 2020b).

Other scientific names in use in Luxembourg

  • Ovis ammon (Linnaeus, 1758) [used in: Ries et al. 2014; Schley & Herr 2019]
  • Ovis ammon musimon (Pallas, 1811) [used in: Massard & Kintziger 1994]

Brief description

Eifelpark Gondorf Mufflons

Mouflons in a wildlife park in the Eifel (Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany) in August 2008

The European mouflon is the westernmost and smallest sub-species of mouflon. It was originally found only on the Mediterranean islands of Corsica and Sardinia, but has since been introduced into many other regions of Europe (Wikipedia contributors 2020).

The European mouflon is a small sheep, particularly compared to its Asian relatives and to some domestic breeds. Sexual dimorphism is present, with males weighing about 30% more than females. Both sexes can exhibit horns, although not all females (and none in the Sardinian population) do. The horns of males can be up to 60 cm long and are curved into a circle. The coat colour is reddish-brown; darker in winter, when males have a black mane with whitish tones on the snout, the ventral area and the distal part of the legs (Asian mouflon from Asia Minor and Iran have more distinct colours). The whitish tones of the face increase with age. The anal white coat is well marked. The tail is black and short. Mouflons have thick skin and wool; the dense winter coat is shed in spring. Males are more robust than females and possess long hair on the neck, chest and front of the forelegs; they also show a characteristic side spot, the “saddle”, of whitish tones, which is much less marked in females (CABI 2019).

The European mouflon is a wild sheep that originates from the Mediterranean islands of Corsica and Sardinia; it is thought to be descended from semidomesticated wild sheep from the Near East brought to Sardinia around 8000 years ago. It has been introduced to many countries in Europe and some elsewhere, mostly as a quarry species for hunting; the extent to which populations have become established or increased varies from country to country. In most countries there is little evidence of serious adverse effects (although there has been little research on the subject), but the mouflon is considered invasive in Hawaii and the Canary Islands, where it has had serious adverse effects on native vegetation (CABI 2019).

As early as the 18th century mouflons were introduced in various regions of Europe (Niethammer 1963 cit. in: Massard & Kintziger 1994: 187).

Health issues of mouflons outside their home range

Mouflon are a longstanding matter of concern in most regions outside their home range. Not well adapted to most of the habitats where they have been released, many animals are suffering from problems with their hooves (foot rot, hoof overgrowth; Piegert & Uloth 2000) (Apollonio et al. 2010).

In the case of the mouflon, NABU North Rhine-Westphalia demands that this non-native species be completely shot down for reasons of nature conservation and animal protection, because the individuals, optimally adapted to life on rocky islands, develop hoof problems as a result of the soft soils prevailing here. Their hooves often grow extremely long and cause considerable pain. They also increase the pressure on the natural growth in the forest. Furthermore, mouflons damage rare biotopes such as rocky heads (NABU, 2020).

Examples from 2 regions:

  • Bavaria: The mouflon is not very well adapted to the living conditions prevailing in Bavaria. Thus, the animals often suffer from serious claw diseases on the softer soils in our country (Wildtierportal Bayern 2020).
  • Switzerland: The free mouflon lives in forested areas, from the lowlands to the mountains. It needs hard and stony soils to grind down its fast growing hooves. In the wildlife park this is made possible by stone fields, as otherwise deformities and infections can develop (Wildpark Mühletäli 2020).

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Records of Ovis ammon Linnaeus, 1758 in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2024-12-23.

Currently, mouflons are present in three areas of Luxembourg: the Our valley, the northern Upper Sûre area and around Heffingen/Echternach (Massard & Kintziger 1994; Schley & Herr 2019: 34).

A former population in the Meysembourg area is extinct (Lux 2005). The grand ducal compound (“Gatter”) at Grünewald near Imbringen was opened to the public in 2009 (SPC 2020).

A male mouflon was run over near the animal park “Escher Déierepark” at Gaalgebierg in Esch-sur-Alzette in 2012 (MNHNL 2000-), it can be assumed it was an escaped animal.

Currently, 35 records of mouflons are accessible through the MNHNL-mdata portal (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2020).

The mouflon in the regions of Luxembourg

Grand ducal compound at Grünewald (1905-2009)

Since 1905 mouflons were kept in the grand ducal compound in Grünewald near Imbringen, municipality of Junglinster (Massard & Kintziger 1994). Several animals have been introduced in 1905 from a game park near Wiesbaden, Germany (Massard & Kintziger 1994: 188; Lux 2005). According to Decker (1979), a second batch of mouflons entered Luxembourg in 1921: six animals from Het Loo (NL) (cit. in: Massard & Kintziger 1994: 188). In 1953, most of the grand ducal mouflons were sold (e.g. to Spain), but at the same time a few other mouflons were imported from the enclosure of the Duke of Bavaria (Decker 1979).

The cited sources don’t mention if this population still existed in the 1990ies. The grand ducal compound in Grünewald (nicknamed “Gatter”) was opened to the public on 9 April 2009, following the agreement of 16 January 2009 between the Luxembourg State and the grand ducal administration (SPC 2009).

Upper Sauer region (1970-)

In 1968, on the proposal of the High Council for Hunting, the Minister of the Interior instructed the Water and Forestry Administration to prepare the introduction of mouflons into the Luxembourg natural environment in the Kaundorf region. In 1970, 14 animals were released into the natural environment near Kaundorf. Since then, and until the beginning of the 1990s, the population has been steadily increasing due to the rather restricted shooting plan: the population numbers about 200 animals and has proliferated over an area of about 9,000 ha. In 1994, in view of the poor health situation of the herd and the numerous damages caused to the forest, the mouflon hunt was widely opened and the shooting plan was abolished. In the 2000s, the population stabilizes at about 60 individuals (spring counting) (Lux 2005).

In 1992, the population was estimated at 100-120 animals living in the area around the barrier lake of the Upper Sauer (Massard & Kintziger 1994).

Our valley near Hosingen (1970-)

The mouflon population around Hosingen originates from the former wildlife park “Wildpark Hosingen”, which existed between 1970 and 1984 and where deer, wild boars, fallow deer, mouflons, mountain goats and indigenous bird species were introduced to visitors in enclosures on an area of around 150 hectares (SISPOLO 2015).

The park had financial problems from 1983 (Lux 2005) and shut down in 1984. This was followed by the escape of some of the animals (fallow deer and mouflons). In the 2000s, the mouflon population numbers about 30 individuals (spring counting) (Lux 2005).

Meysembourg aera (1972-1993)

A mouflon enclosure was established in Meysembourg in 1972. Shortly afterwards, several animals fled and settled in the Christnach/Heffingen region. In the 1980s, the population numbered about 100 animals. In 1984, severe barking damage was noted, followed by a wide opening for hunting from 1985 onwards. In 1993 the population became extinct (Lux 2005).

Echternach aera (1995-)

As far as the Echternach region is concerned, there is a strong presumption of illegal releases (Lux 2005):

  • In October 1995, first appearance of moufflons in the “Haardt” forest near the lake of Echternach, their origin being unknown (120 animals). In winter 2003/04, the Haard population amounts to ± 160 animals.
  • In October 1996, first appearance of moufflons near the Mélickshaff and in Kalkesbaach near Consdorf, their origin also unknown (20 animals). February 2005: 16 animals.
  • In December 1996, first appearance of moufflons at Seiterhof near Berdorf, also unknown provenance (20 animals). February 2005: 70 animals.

At the end of February 2005, a new population count by the Water and Forestry Administration (before the calving) indicates that the mouflon population in the region before the calving in March 2005 was 264 head. The female sex predominates in the composition of the herds in the Echternach region. Based on observations in recent years, it can be said that the population always increases by one third after giving birth. The population in the Echternach region should therefore have reached the current level of ± 350 animals (Lux 2005).

Schley & Herr (2019: 34) confirm that the mouflon population in the area around Heffingen/Echternach originates from an illegal release. In 2020, there is estimated to be between about 100 (Anonyme 2020) and 200 (Magar 2020, ota 2020) mouflons in that region.

Estimated damages caused by mouflon

The mouflons cause different kinds of damage. For example, the following damage can currently be seen in the Echternach region (Lux 2005):

  • debarking of trees, especially spruce trees;
  • spike grazing in leaf plantations and natural regeneration;
  • damage to agricultural crops;
  • disturbance of native deer by non-native mouflons.

In the summer of 2003, an inventory was carried out in the canton’s forests of Echternach, to determine the debarking damage caused by the mouflons, resulting in a damaged area of 18,79 ha. The damaged species are mainly spruce and Douglas fir, the hardwood species are less affected by debarking. Recently it has also been observed that natural regeneration of beech has been damaged by mouflons (bud browsing) (Lux 2005).

In 2020, in the press, various statements are made about the damage caused by muffled animals:

  • lessentiel.lu: There is estimated to be about 100 mouflons in that region and the damage they cause is estimated at 31.814,77 euros, as well as the prevention of forest regeneration (Anonyme 2020).
  • wort.lu: Yves Wengler (CSV), mayor of Echternach, estimates that the 200 or so mouflons living in the woods of his commune caused damage of 100.000 euros (ota 2020).

Management

Mouflon hunt in Luxembourg

The addition of the administrative hunt to the law on hunting

Note: this chapter is an excerpt of the answer of Lucien Lux (2005) to parliamentary question n°377.

Since the first appearance of mouflons in the region of Echternach in 1995, the administration of Water and Forests has been very concerned about this presence. Since the mouflon is not a native species and there are no other populations of this species in the region, it soon became clear that the population could only be the result of clandestine or even illegal releases, without it having been possible so far to establish who was responsible.

As the sheep population continued to grow, on the initiative of the Minister of the Environment two meetings were held in autumn 2003 with tenants and representatives of the hunting unions in the Echternach region to find a solution to the worrying situation. At these meetings, the final goal was clearly formulated, namely to achieve a “zero” mouflon population within a reasonable period of time (5 years) by means of hunting. To this end, the Water and Forestry Administration had developed various models for reducing the population. The following recommendations were made to hunting tenants: priority should be given to shooting female animals and an attempt should be made to reduce the population by more than half in the first hunting year. This proposal was accepted by the representatives of the unions and the hunters, and voluntary commitments were signed by all hunting tenants.

At the end of winter 2004/05 (March 2005), the Water and Forestry Administration analysed the current situation and drew up an interim assessment of the commitments made by the hunting tenants. It turned out that the situation has not improved at all, but on the contrary has worsened. Although some hunting tenants have made an effort to shoot as many animals as possible, this does not seem to be the case for others. Indeed, recent counts carried out by the Water and Forestry Administration at the end of February 2005 show that the combined effort of all hunting tenants has been absolutely insufficient.

The current hunting legislation does not confer any right of direct intervention by either the Ministry of the Environment or the Water and Forests Administration to reduce a game species once the animals are in a state of natural freedom. The Government is therefore relatively powerless in the face of this situation and must confine itself to recommendations.

This is why the Minister of the Environment recently tabled a bill amending the hunting legislation and including the following point: introduction of the right of initiative for the State with a view to organizing administrative hunting under certain well-defined conditions, alongside the right of initiative of the hunting syndicate, which is to be maintained. The conditions which must be met before the administrative hunting procedure can be initiated are as follows:

  • high concentrations of game, as evidenced by the presence of crop damage;
  • unauthorised releases of animal species, whether or not they are classified as game;
  • control of epizootic diseases.

Legal aspects

The law of 25 May 2011 on hunting (Mémorial 2011) stipulates:

  • Art. 10. Shooting with a bullet is obligatory for the hunting of deer, roe deer, wild boar, mouflon and fallow deer (Mémorial 2011: 1729).
  • Art. 13. The hunting of deer, wild boar, roe deer, fallow deer and mouflon may be subject to a shooting plan. This plan determines the number of animals, distributed according to their species, type, age or sex, which must or may be shot on a given territory during a given period. / A Grand Ducal regulation determines the procedures for drawing up the shooting plan, the species of game covered by it, the duration of the plan and the related control measures (Mémorial 2011: 1729).
  • In the annex to the Act, the ‘mouflon (Ovis musimon)’ is considered to be a species belonging to the wild fauna and classified as ‘large game’ alongside deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), wild boar (Sus scrofa) and fallow deer (Dama dama) (Mémorial 2011: 1741).

Hunting statistics

Mouflons shot per km² in the hunting season 2017-2018 (Schley & Celllina 2018: 25)

Hunting statistics show that the number of hunted mouflons has been increasing from around 20 in the late 1980s to over 150 since 2000, with a peak of 250 during the hunting season 2009/2010 (Naturverwaltung 2012). Since then, the number of shot animals decreased to about 75 in 2013/2014 (Naturverwaltung 2014) and stayed at a similar level in the hunting season 2017-2018 (Schley & Celllina 2018: 9). Schley & Herr (2019: 35) state that about 100-150 mouflons are shot in Luxembourg every year.

The geographical distribution of shot mouflons for the hunting year 2017/18 (see map on the right) is in line with the mouflon distribution (see above) based on data from Recorder-Lux, GBIF and iNaturalist (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2020).

Administrative hunt in 2020

In February 2020, the Ministry of the Environment planed an administrative hunt for mouflons in the Echternach region which was not carried out yet (2020-03-12)1. End of 2019, the Higher Council for Hunting (Conseil supérieur de la chasse) had given the go-ahead for this hunt (Magar 2020).

The public debate on mouflon in Luxembourg

Parliamentary questions

  1. 2005-03-29: Question écrite n°377 [PDF]. Sujet: Mouflon. Auteur : Monsieur Jos Scheuer, Député. Auteur de la réponse: Monsieur Lucien Lux, Ministre de l’Environnement (Lux 2005) [PDF].
  2. 2006-06-20: Question écrite n°1124 [PDF]. Sujet: Présence du mouflon sur le territoire du Luxembourg. Auteurs: Monsieur Marco Schank, Député; Monsieur Marcel Oberweis, Député; Madame Françoise Hetto-Gaasch, Députée (Hetto-Gaasch et al. 2006). Auteur de la réponse: Monsieur Lucien Lux, Ministre de l’Environnement (Lux 2006) [PDF].
  3. 2019-10-28: Question écrite n°1402 [PDF]. Sujet: Colonies de mouflons. Auteur: Monsieur Marc Goergen, Député (Goergen 2019a). Auteur de la réponse: Madame Carole Dieschbourg, Ministre de l’Environnement, du Climat et du Développement durable (Dieschbourg 2019) [PDF].
  4. 2019-12-18: Question écrite n°1623 [PDF]. Sujet: Colonies de mouflons. Auteur: Monsieur Marc Goergen, Député (Goergen 2019b). Auteur de la réponse: Madame Carole Dieschbourg, Ministre de l’Environnement, du Climat et du Développement durable (Dieschbourg 2020a) [PDF].
  5. 2020-01-22: Question urgente n°1746 [PDF]. Sujet: Chasse au mouflon. Auteur: Monsieur Marc Goergen, Député (Goergen 2020a). Auteur de la réponse: Madame Carole Dieschbourg, Ministre de l’Environnement, du Climat et du Développement durable (Dieschbourg 2020b) [PDF].
  6. 2020-03-02: Question urgente n°1961 [PDF]. Sujet: Chasse aux mouflon. Auteur: Monsieur Marc Goergen, Député (Goergen 2020b). Destinataire: Madame Carole Dieschbourg, Ministre de l’Environnement, du Climat et du Développement durable.

Social media

From the end of February 2020 onwards, the debate surrounding the mouflon hunt was the subject of controversy, hateful debates and excesses on social networks in Luxembourg.

On February 28 2020, the political party “Piratepartei Lëtzebuerg” posted a video on its Facebook account criticising the Minister of the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development Carole Dieschbourg for her position in the hunt for mouflons (Piratepartei Lëtzebuerg 2020; Pautsch 2020).

Following a series of hateful and threatening comments against her, Carole Dieschbourg announced on 4 March 2020 via her Facebook account to take legal action (Dieschbourg 2020c; Frati 2020).

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

C2 (3+2+1+1) (Ries et al. 2014: 199).

Harmonia+ protocol

Not assessed yet.

Worldwide distribution

Bibliography

  • Anonyme, 2020. Le Luxembourg veut chasser les mouflons. L’Essentiel, 17 décembre 2019. http://www.lessentiel.lu/fr/luxembourg/story/le-luxembourg-veut-chasser-les-mouflons-18262683
  • Apollonio, M., R. Andersen & R. Putman, 2010. European ungulates and their management in the 21st century. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK ; New York. 604 p.
  • Bingenheimer V., 2018. Eine unangenehme Wahrheit – Trotz massiver Abschüsse vermehren sich die Mufflons im Wald bei Echternach ungebremst. Luxemburger Wort 3. April 2018: 18-19. [PDF 4.3 MB]
  • CABI, 2019. Ovis aries musimon Pallas, 1811 [original text by Jorge Cassinello]. In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. URL: www.cabi.org/isc [accessed 2019-11-22]
  • Decker, P. 1979. Die Einbürgerung von Mufflons in Luxemburg. Direction des eaux et forêts, Rapport non publié, 8 p.
  • Dieschbourg, C., 2019a. Réponse de la Ministre de l’Environnement, du Climat et du Développement durable à question N°1402 de Monsieur Marc Goergen concernant Colonies de mouflons. Q-2019-O-E-1402-02. [chd.lu]
  • Dieschbourg, C., 2020a. Réponse de la Ministre de l’Environnement, du Climat et du Développement durable à question N°1623 de Monsieur Marc Goergen concernant Colonies de mouflons. Q-2019-O-E-1623-02 [chd.lu]
  • Dieschbourg, C., 2020b. Réponse de la Ministre de l’Environnement, du Climat et du Développement durable à question N°1746 de Monsieur Marc Goergen concernant Chasse au mouflon. Q-2019-O-E-1746-02 [chd.lu]
  • Dieschbourg, C., 2020c. Post on Facebook, 2020-03-04, 09:38. URL: https://www.facebook.com/DieschbourgCarole/ [accessed 2020-03-12]
  • Frati, C., 2020. La justice saisie / Carole Dieschbourg ciblée par des messages haineux. paperjam online 2020-03-04. URL: https://paperjam.lu/article/dieschbourg-prend-mouflon-par- [accessed 2020-03-12]
  • GBIF, 2020a. Ovis ammon (Linnaeus, 1758) in GBIF Secretariat (2019). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset https://www.gbif.org/species/2441122 [accessed 2020-02-04]
  • GBIF 2020b. Ovis aries subsp. musimon (Pallas, 1811) in GBIF Secretariat (2019). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset https://www.gbif.org/species/6165157 [accessed 2020-02-04]
  • Goergen, M., 2019a. Question N°1402 de Monsieur Marc Goergen concernant Colonies de mouflons. Q-2019-O-E-1402-01 [chd.lu]
  • Goergen, M., 2019b. Question N°1623 de Monsieur Marc Goergen concernant Colonies de mouflons. Q-2019-O-E-1623-01 [chd.lu]
  • Goergen, M., 2020a. Question N°1746 de Monsieur Marc Goergen concernant Chasse au mouflon. Q-2019-O-E-1746-01 [chd.lu]
  • Goergen, M., 2020b. Question N°1961 de Monsieur Marc Goergen concernant Chasse aux mouflon. Q-2019-O-E-1961-01 [chd.lu]
  • Hetto-Gaasch, F., M. Oberweis & M. Schank, 2006. Question N° 1124 de Mme Françoise Hetto-Gaasch et M. Marcel Oberweis et M. Marco Schank concernant Présence du mouflon sur le territoire du Luxembourg. Q-2005-O-E-1124-01 [chd.lu]
  • ITIS, 2016. Integrated Taxonomic Information System online database. http://www.itis.gov
  • Lux, L., 2005. Réponse du Ministre de l’Environnement à la question parlementaire no. 377 de Monsieur le député Jos Scheuer. 2005-04-18.
  • Lux, L., 2006. Réponse du Ministre de l’Environnement à la question N° 1124 de Mme Françoise Hetto-Gaasch et M. Marcel Oberweis et M. Marco Schank concernant Présence du mouflon sur le territoire du Luxembourg. Q-2005-O-E-1124-02 [chd.lu]
  • Magar, M., 2020. Une première chasse au mouflon au Luxembourg. L’essentiel 10 janvier 2020. URL http://www.lessentiel.lu/fr/luxembourg/story/une-premiere-chasse-au-mouflon-au-luxembourg-31427844 [accessed 2020-03-06]
  • Massard, J.A. & P. Kintziger, 1994. Le Mouflon (Ovis ammon musimon) au Luxembourg: notes historiques sur son introduction et analyse de la population des mouflons de la région de la Haute-Sûre. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 95: 187-208. [PDF 1058 KB]
  • Mémorial 2011. Loi du 25 mai 2011 relative à la chasse. Mémorial A, 111: 1727-1741.
  • MNHNL, 2000-. Ovis ammon in Recorder-Lux, database on the natural heritage of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Musée national d’histoire naturelle, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2020-02-04]
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2020. MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2020-02-04]
  • NABU, 2020. Das Mufflon. NABU Nordrhein-Westfalen. URL: https://nrw.nabu.de/natur-und-landschaft/landnutzung/jagd/jagdbare-arten/weitere-saeugetiere/06783.html [accessed 2020-03-09]
  • Naturverwaltung (ed.), 2012. Technischer Bericht der Naturverwaltung betreffend Wildtiermanagement und Jagd, Nummer 2 (2012), 68 pp.
  • Naturverwaltung (ed.), 2013. Jagbare Wildtierarten Luxemburgs. 96 pp.
  • Naturverwaltung, 2014. Bulletin technique de l’Administration de la nature et des forêts en matière de gestion de la faune sauvage et de chasse, numéro 3 (2014), 72 pp.
  • Niethammer, G., 1963. Die Einbürgerung von Säugetieren und Vöglen in Europa. Ergebnisse und Aussichten. Hamburg, P. Parey, 319 p.
  • ota, 2020. Carole Dieschbourg menacée de mort. Online article on wort.lu. URL: https://www.wort.lu/fr/luxembourg/carole-dieschbourg-menacee-de-mort-5e60d048da2cc1784e3579c9 [accessed 2020-03-06]
  • Pautsch, M. 2020. Facebook / Carole Dieschbourg schaltet wegen Kommentaren mit Morddrohungen Autoritäten ein. Tageblatt online, 2020-03-05. URL: https://www.tageblatt.lu/headlines/carole-dieschbourg-schaltet-wegen-kommentaren-mit-morddrohungen-justiz-ein/?fbclid=IwAR0L6ONV1fONfskNmxVMZ23VsB9wp-sIpvbXtAEQQi59HegKnS7s5kfy5V8 [accessed 2020-03-12]
  • Piegert, H. & W. Uloth, 2000. Der Europäische Mufflon. Hamburg. 280 p.
  • Pir, J.B. & L. Schley, 2015. Développement des connaissances sur la répartition et l’écologie des mammifères au Luxembourg entre 1990 et 2015. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 116: 437-455.
  • Piratepartei Lëtzebuerg, 2020. Video on Facebook, 2020-02-28, 22:02. URL: https://www.facebook.com/Piratepartei/videos/2508661829350143/ [accessed 2020-03-12]
  • Ries, C., M. Pfeiffenschneider, Engel, E., J.-C. Heidt & M. Lauff, 2014. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of vertebrates in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 115: 195-201. [PDF 247 KB]
  • Scheuer, J., 2005. Question N° 0377 de M. Jos Scheuer concernant Mouflon. Q-2004-O-E-0377-01 [chd.lu]
  • Schley, L. & J. Herr, 2019. Säugetiere Luxemburgs. Hrsg.: natur&ëmwelt a.s.b.l., Ministère du développement durable et des infrastructures, Administration de la nature et des forêts. 219 S. ISBN 978-2-9199511-0-9 [French edition: Les mammifères du Luxembourg, ISBN 978-2-9199511-2-3]
  • Schley, L. & S. Cellina, 2018. Technischer Bericht der Naturverwaltung betreffend Wildtiermanagement und Jagd, Nr. 7, 52 S. Administration de la nature et des forêts, Diekirch. [PDF 13 MB]
  • SISPOLO, 2015. Historischer Überblick der Aktivitäten und der Entstehung des SISPOLO-Syndikats. URL: https://www.sispolo.lu/geschichte-1.html [accessed 2020-03-06]
  • SPC, 2009. Ouverture au public de la forêt du Grünewald. 09-04-2009. Service Presse et Communication. URL: http://www.monarchie.lu/fr/actualites/evenements/2009/04/Grunewald/index.html?highlight=Gr%C3%BCnewald [accessed 2020-03-12]
  • Wildpark Mühletäli, 2020. Mufflon / Europäisches Wildschaf. URL: http://www.wildpark-muehletaeli.ch/tiere-im-park/mufflon/ [accessed 2020-03-09]
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 Page content last updated on 2021-06-15. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2020-02-05.

  1. On 29 February 2020 a private hunt on mouflon took place in the Echternach region.[]

Dama dama (Linnaeus, 1758)

English Fallow deer Status LU: established. 1st record: 1977.
Lëtzebuergesch Damhirsch Status Eur.: established.
Français Daim européen RA: ISEIA: B2, Watch List. Harmonia+: n/a.
Deutsch Damhirsch Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Fallow deer Wikipedia - Français - Daim européen Wikipedia - Deutsch - Damhirsch Wikipedia - Nederlands - Damhert | Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Dama dama
Nederlands Damhert Back to the list of vertebrates

Brief description

Damhirsch Wildpark

Fallow deers at wildlife park Klotten, Eifel, Germany, August 2011

Dama dama (Linnaeus, 1758) prefers open, deciduous woodlands and conifer plantations with open areas. Fallow deers are very adaptable to almost all ecological conditions. The species can cause considerable damage to woodlands when populations are not managed. At high densities, they can alter the structure of vegetation communities and cause biodiversity loss, although moderate deer densities tend to promote higher biodiversity. Above some density threshold, fallow deer can also cause the decline of roe deer populations (Branquart et al. 2009).

The species originates from the Near East (Turkey, Iran, etc.) (Schley & Herr 2019:32).

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Records of Dama dama Linnaeus, 1758 in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2024-12-23.

In Luxembourg, Dama dama (Linnaeus, 1758) is thought to have been introduced accidentally into the wild when some individuals escaped from the animal park in Hosingen in 1977.

Hunting statistics show that the population of fallow deer is concentrated in the southern part of the Upper Sauer region and in the Our valley (Naturverwaltung 2012, Naturverwaltung 2014, Schley & Herr 2019: 32; Schley & Celllina 2018: 27).

Records in the Recorder-Lux database show that fallow deers also live in the Mullerthal region (MNHNL 2000-).

Fallow deer hunt in Luxembourg

Fallow deers shot per km² in the hunting season 2017-2018 (Schley & Celllina 2018: 27)

The first fallow deer were shot in 1979 and numbers shot reached 54 in 1995 (Schley et al. 1998). In the 1990s, the number of shot deer per year amounted to over 50 and increased to approximately 125-150 animals since 2007.

The geographical distribution of shot fallow deers for the hunting year 2017/18 (see map on the right) is in line with the fallow deer distribution (see above) based on data from Recorder-Lux, GBIF and iNaturalist (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2020).

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

B2 (3+3+2+1) = Watch List (Ries et al. 2014: 199).

Harmonia+ protocol

Not assessed yet.

Worldwide distribution

Bibliography

  • Branquart, E., M. D’aes, A. Licoppe, B. Manet, G. Motte, V. Schockert & J. Stuyck, 2009. Harmonia database: Dama dama (Linnaeus, 1758). Harmonia version 1.2, Belgian Forum on Invasive Species. URL: http://ias.biodiversity.be [accessed on 2019-10-28]
  • GBIF, 2019. Dama dama (Linnaeus, 1758) in GBIF Secretariat (2019). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei [accessed 2020-04-22]
  • Klees, H., 1981. Luxemburger Tiernamen. Beiträge zur luxemburgischen Sprach- und Volkskunde XIV. Institut grand-ducal, Section de linguistique, de folklore et de toponymie. 2. Aufl. 131 S. Imprimerie Pierre Linden, Luxembourg.
  • MNHNL, 2000-. Dama dama (Linnaeus, 1758) in Recorder-Lux, database on the natural heritage of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Musée national d’histoire naturelle, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2020-02-04]
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2019. Dama dama (Linnaeus, 1758) in MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2020-02-04]
  • Naturverwaltung (ed.), 2012. Technischer Bericht der Naturverwaltung betreffend Wildtiermanagement und Jagd, Nummer 2 (2012), 68 pp.
  • Naturverwaltung (ed.), 2013. Jagbare Wildtierarten Luxemburgs. 96 pp.
  • Naturverwaltung, 2014. Bulletin technique de l’Administration de la nature et des forêts en matière de gestion de la faune sauvage et de chasse, numéro 3 (2014), 72 pp.
  • Pir, J.B. & L. Schley, 2015. Développement des connaissances sur la répartition et l’écologie des mammifères au Luxembourg entre 1990 et 2015. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 116: 437-455.
  • Ries, C., M. Pfeiffenschneider, Engel, E., J.-C. Heidt & M. Lauff, 2014. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of vertebrates in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 115: 195-201. [PDF 247 KB]
  • Schley, L. & J. Herr, 2019. Säugetiere Luxemburgs. Hrsg.: natur&ëmwelt a.s.b.l., Ministère du développement durable et des infrastructures, Administration de la nature et des forêts. 219 S. ISBN 978-2-9199511-0-9 [French edition: Les mammifères du Luxembourg, ISBN 978-2-9199511-2-3]
  • Schley, L. & S. Cellina, 2018. Technischer Bericht der Naturverwaltung betreffend Wildtiermanagement und Jagd, Nr. 7, 52 S. Administration de la nature et des forêts, Diekirch. [PDF 13 MB]
  • Schley, L., A. Krier, A. Baghli & T.J. Roper, 1998. Hunting records of game species in Luxembourg during the period 1946 to 1995.. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 99: 69-75. [PDF 47KB]

 Page content last updated on 2020-04-22. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-27.

Neogobius kessleri (Günther, 1861)

English Bighead goby Status LU: established. 1st record: ~2010
Lëtzebuergesch Kessler-Grondel Status Eur.: established.
Français Gobie de Kessler RA: ISEIA: A2, Black List. Harmonia+: n/a.
Deutsch Kessler-Grundel Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Bighead goby Wikipedia - Deutsch - Kessler-Grundel Wikipedia - Nederlands - Kesslers grondel | Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Ponticola kessleri
Nederlands Kesslers grondel Back to the list of vertebrates

Brief description

NeogobiusKessleriSide 7-9-2009 10-13-45 AM 2Neogobius kessleri (Günther, 1861) is a fish that occurs in fresh and brackish water, in lower rivers and lagoons, on rocky bottoms or in reed thickets. It is native to the Black Sea.

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Records of Neogobius kessleri (Günther, 1861) in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2024-12-23.

Neogobius kessleri (Günther, 1861) is known to colonise the Luxembourg part of the Moselle river since about 2010. Together with Neogobius melanostomus, the species was sampled regulary in the lower Sauer in recent years; in 2017 it was sampled in the Our (Dohet 2017).

On 27th July 2015, a parliamentary question was raised in the Luxembourg Parliament about the invasion of Neogobius species in the Moselle river. This was echoed in the daily newspaper Tageblatt on the same day (Wildschutz 2015).

The distribution map is incomplete because records still have to be entered into the Recorder-Lux database (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2019).

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

A2 (3+3+3+2) = Black List (Ries et al. 2014: 199).

Harmonia+ protocol

Not assessed yet.

Natural range and places of introduction in Europe

Bighead goby map.png

2014 by Yuriy Kvach. CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35161897 (Wikimedia Commons contributors 2020)

Worldwide distribution

Bibliography

    • Dohet, A., 2017. Personal communication. LIST.
    • GBIF, 2019. Neogobius kessleri (Günther, 1861) in GBIF Secretariat (2019). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei [accessed 2020-04-22]
    • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2019. Neogobius kessleri (Günther, 1861) in MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2019-10-24]
    • Ries, C., M. Pfeiffenschneider, Engel, E., J.-C. Heidt & M. Lauff, 2014. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of vertebrates in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 115: 195-201. [PDF 247 KB]
    • Wildschutz, N., 2015. Grundel-Plage in der Mosel. Tageblatt online 27.07.2015. URL: http://www.tageblatt.lu/nachrichten/grundel-plage-in-der-mosel-16593303/ [2018.04.13]
    • Wikimedia Commons contributors, 2020. ‘File:Bighead goby map.png’, Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository, 12 April 2020, 19:21 UTC, <https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Bighead_goby_map.png&oldid=410862049> [accessed 2020-04-22]

 Page content last updated on 2020-04-22. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-27.