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

Brief description

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

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

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.

	Sika deer	Status LU: casual. 1st record: 2012.
	Sikahirsch	Status Eur.: established.
	Cerf Sika	RA: ISEIA: B1, Watch List. Harmonia+: n/a.
	Sikahirsch	Wikipedia:    | Wikispecies: | CABI
	Sikahert	Back to the list of vertebrates

Brief description

Cervus nippon Temminck, 1838 is found in dense woodland and scrub, including the thicket stages of coniferous forests and adjacent open ground. The population of the species is increasing and expanding in several European countries. Sika can build up higher densities than red dear and can cause great environmental and economic damage to forests and wetlands. Hybrids with the native congeneric red deer are fertile, and further hybridisation or back-crossing to either parental type is rapidly threatening the genetic integrity of the native species. Sika are often reported to be better competitors than native deer species (e.g. roe deer) (Branquart et al. 2013).

The species can easily be confused with the fallow deer Dama dama (Linnaeus, 1758), which the Sika deer resembles in its greetings and colouring. However, the antlers of the sika deer do not develop shovels as they do with the fallow deer as the animal ages (Schley & Herr 2019: 31).

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

The presence of Cervus nippon Temminck, 1838 in Luxembourg was first documented in December 2012 in the valley of the river Our near Stolzembourg, municipality of Putscheid (Cellina & Schley 2014; MNHNL 2000-). In 2013, three Sika deer were sighted near Bivels (Naturverwaltung 2014).

Supposedly the Sika deer migrated to north-eastern parts of the country after escaping from a deer park in Gemünd (Germany). In order to avoid hybridisation with red deer (Cervus elaphus), an eradication of the individuals found in Luxembourg is recommended.

An identification sheet of the species has been published by the MECDD in French and German.

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

B1 (3+2+3+1) = Watch List (Ries et al. 2014: 199).

Harmonia+ protocol

Overall risk score 0,27 = (Overall Invasion score 0,51 x Overall Impact score 0,56) (evaluated by Sandra Cellina, Jan Herr and Manou Pfeiffenschneider).

Worldwide distribution

Bibliography

• Branquart, E., A. Licoppe, G. Motte, V. Schockert & J. Stuyck, 2013. Harmonia database: Cervus nippon Temminck, 1838. Harmonia version 1.2, Belgian Forum on Invasive Species. URL: http://ias.biodiversity.be [accessed on 2019-10-24]
• CABI, 2009. Cervus nippon Temminck, 1838 [original text by Rory Putman]. In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. URL: www.cabi.org/isc [accessed 2020-02-05]
• Cellina, S. & L. Schley, 2014. Premières observations du cerf sika (Cervus nippon) au Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 115: 193-194. [PDF 100 KB]
• MNHNL, 2000-. Cervus nippon Temminck, 1838 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 2019-10-24]
• MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2019. Cervus nippon Temminck, 1838 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]
• 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 [http://www.environnement.public.lu/chasse/publications/bulletintechnique3/index.html].
• 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]

 Page content last updated on 2024-03-11. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-27.

	Canada goose	Status LU: established. 1st record: 1980.
	Kanadagäns1	Status Eur.: established.
	Bernache du Canada	RA: ISEIA: B3, Watch List. Harmonia+: n/a.
	Kanadagans	Wikipedia:    | Wikispecies: | CABI
	Grote Canadese gans	Back to the list of vertebrates

Brief description

Branta canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758) most often breed along small meso- to eutrophic ponds near open habitats with short grass. They are especially common in man-made habitats (parks, urban and agricultural areas) but are also known to colonise natural wetlands and coastal areas. The Canada goose is primarily a grazer and feeds mainly on grasses and aquatic plants. The species often exhibits direct aggression to other bird species through strong territorial behavior. High goose densities damage wetland habitats by overgrazing, fouling and trampling (Anselin et al. 2012).

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Branta canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758) was first reported by Eugène Conrad on 19th April 1980 in the area of Stolzembourg, municipality of Putscheid (Konter et al. 2009). The first documented breeding in Luxembourg dates from 2002 from the nature conservation reserve Cornely’s Millen, near Troisvierges in the far north of the country (Bastian 2016: 6). The first successful breeding attempt was documented in 2002. Meanwhile the species breeds regularly in Luxembourg with some 10 to 15 breeding couples, especially on the Moselle river and in the Oesling area (Lorgé & Melchior 2015). Today the Canada goose is less widespread in Luxembourg than the Egyptian goose. A recent survey estimates the actual breeding population of the Canada goose to a total of 18 breeding couples (Bastian 2016: 13). Problems caused by Canada geese were reported in 2016 by several local authorities to the Department of Environment of MDDI, concerning several playgrounds, promenades and open air swimming pools in the Moselle area, and also from problems in a vineyard in the Schengen area.

An identification sheet of the species has been published by the MECDD in French and German.

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

B3 (3+3+2+2) = Watch List. Assessment update on 15 May 2018 by Patrick Lorgé, Christian Ries & Manou Pfeiffenscheider. First assessment: A1 (3+3+3+3) = Black List (Ries et al. 2014: 199). The adverse impacts on native species and ecosystem functions were overestimated by the first assessment.

Harmonia+ protocol

Not assessed yet.

Worldwide distribution

Fact sheet

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

Bibliography

• Anders, C., 2017. Erfassung der Bestände von Kanadagans (Branta canadensis) und Nilgans (Alopochen aegyptiaca) im Jahr 2016 im Großherzogtum Luxemburg. Regulus Wissenschaftliche Berichte 32: 12-19.
• Anselin, A., E. Branquart, K. Devos, J.-Y. Paquet, D. Strubbe, D. Vangeluwe & A. Weiserbs, 2012. Harmonia database: Branta canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758). Harmonia version 1.2, Belgian Forum on Invasive Species. URL: http://ias.biodiversity.be [accessed 2020-04-22]
• Bastian, M., 2016. Kanadagans (Branta canadensis) und Nilgans (Alopochen aegyptiaca) in Luxemburg. Bericht zur Erfassung der Kanadagans und der Nilgans im Jahr 2016 zur Untersuchung der Verbreitung, der Bestände sowie der Bestandsentwicklung im Großherzogtum Luxemburg. Centrale ornithologique Luxembourg, natur&ëmwelt a.s.b.l., Kockelscheuer. 21 p.
• CABI, 2019. Branta canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758). In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. URL: www.cabi.org/isc [accessed 2020-04-22]
• Konter, A., 2015. Die weitere Entwicklung der Wasservogelwelt an der Sauer unterhalb von Steinheim in den Jahren 2012-2014. Regulus Wissenschaftliche Berichte 30: 1-34.
• Konter, A., 2016. Die Kanadagans Branta canadensis auf der Sauer unterhalb von Steinheim: Aufkommen, aggressives Verhalten und Bruten nach der Renaturierung des Gebiets. Regulus Wissenschaftliche Berichte 31: 23-27.
• Konter, A., 2021. Beobachtung einer Auseinandersetzung zwischen zwei Höckerschwänen Cygnus olor und einer Kanadagansfamilie Branta canadensis. Regulus Wissenschaftliche Berichte 36: 75-79.
• Konter, A. & P. Lorgé, 2009. Vorkommen und Brut von Kanada- Branta canadensis (Linné 1758) und Nilgans Alopochen aegyptiacus (Linné 1766) in Luxemburg. Regulus wissenschaftliche Berichte 24: 49–54.
• Lorgé, P. & E. Melchior, 2015. Vögel Luxemburgs, natur&emwelt, ISBN: 978-2-919920-01-3, 9. Ausgabe, 273 pp.
• MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2020. Branta canadensis (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 2020-04-22]
• 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]
• Weiss, J., 2015. Liste der Luxemburger Vogelnamen. Regulus Wissenschaftliche Berichte 29 (2014): 69-79. [PDF 1.1 MB]

 Page content last updated on 2023-08-17. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-27.

1. Cf. Weiss 2015: 73.[↩]

	Egyptian goose	Status LU: established.
	Nilgäns1	Status Eur.: established. IAS of EU concern (2017).
	Ouette d’Égypte	RA: ISEIA: B3, Watch List. Harmonia+: n/a.
	Nilgans	Wikipedia:    | Wikispecies: | CABI
	Nijlgans	Back to the list of vertebrates

Brief description

Alopochen aegyptiaca (Linnaeus, 1766) is found in a diversity of wetlands, usually supplied with a belt of trees or shrubs. The species seems to be in strong expansion, Belgium is one example. During the nesting period, it develops aggressive behaviour leading to nest usurpation and decrease of offspring number in several bird species (see also Konter 2015), namely herons and raptors. Post-breeding flocks are responsible for overgrazing and for the alteration of banks and quality of water bodies (Anselin et al. 2010).

IAS of Union concern

In 2017,  the Egyptian goose 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

Alopochen aegyptiaca (Linnaeus, 1766) was first documented by R. Gloden in late December 1984 on the Moselle in Bech-Kleinmacher, municipality of Schengen (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2020). The first successful breeding attempt took place in 2007 in the nature conservation area, Haff Réimech, near Remerschen (Bastian 2016: 7). Some 20 to 30 breeding couples can now be observed every year. Outside of the breeding season, the species can be seen in large numbers on rivers or stagnant waters (Lorgé & Melchior 2015).

Today the species is widespread in the country. 

An identification sheet of the species has been published by the MECDD in French and German.

Management

In an answer to a parliamentary question (Dieschbourg 2020), Environment Minister Carole Dieschbourg explained on 25 August 2020 how Luxembourg intends to tackle the birds. Instead of hunting, the eggs are to be sterilised so that the Egyptian geese can continue their breeding habits, but nothing hatches from the clutch. This is to be done by officials from the Nature and Forestry Administration, who have a lot of manpower – the eggs must be perforated or rubbed with paraffin.

Action plan

The Luxembourg management plan was published in the spring, was then open to public comment and will now be presented in autumn 2020. Hunting of the Nile geese will therefore not be allowed in Luxembourg (Adami 2020). In September 2020, Radio 100,7 reported about the management measures planed by the government (Hill 2020).

→ Finalised Action Plan for Alopochen aegyptiacus (De Sousa 2020)

The public debate on Egyptian goose in Luxembourg

Parliamentary questions

• 2020-07-14: Question écrite n°2536 [PDF]. Sujet : Propagation de l’ouette d’Égypte. Auteur : Monsieur Gusty Graas, Député. Destinataire et auteur de la réponse : Madame Carole Dieschbourg, Ministre de l’Environnement, du Climat et du Développement durable [PDF].

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

B3 (3+3+2+1) = Watch List (Ries et al. 2014: 199). Confirmed by new assessment on 15 May 2018 by Patrick Lorgé, Christian Ries & Manou Pfeiffenscheider.

Harmonia+ protocol

Not assessed yet.

Worldwide distribution

Fact sheet

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

Bibliography

• Adami, J., 2020. Invasive Wasservögel: Kampf gegen die Nilgänse. Woxx Nr. 1595: 3 (28/08/2020). Also published online.
• Anders, C., 2017. Erfassung der Bestände von Kanadagans (Branta canadensis) und Nilgans (Alopochen aegyptiaca) im Jahr 2016 im Großherzogtum Luxemburg. Regulus Wissenschaftliche Berichte 32: 12-19.
• 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).
• Anselin, A., E. Branquart, K. Devos, J.-Y. Paquet, D. Strubbe, D. Vangeluwe & A. Weiserbs, 2010. Harmonia database: Alopochen aegyptiaca (Linnaeus, 1766). Harmonia version 1.2, Belgian Forum on Invasive Species. URL: http://ias.biodiversity.be [accessed 2020-04-22]
• Bastian, M., 2016. Kanadagans (Branta canadensis) und Nilgans (Alopochen aegyptiaca) in Luxemburg. Bericht zur Erfassung der Kanadagans und der Nilgans im Jahr 2016 zur Untersuchung der Verbreitung, der Bestände sowie der Bestandsentwicklung im Großherzogtum Luxemburg. Centrale ornithologique Luxembourg, natur&ëmwelt a.s.b.l., Kockelscheuer. 21 p.
• Biver, G., 2013. Waterbird count – recensement hivernal des oiseaux d’eau 2009-2012. Regulus Wissenschaftliche Berichte 28: 43-58.
• CABI, 2019. Alopochen aegyptiaca (Linnaeus, 1766). In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. URL: www.cabi.org/isc [accessed 2020-04-22]
• De Sousa, Tiago, 2020. Plan d’action pour espèces exotiques envahissantes au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg: l’Ouette d’Égypte, Alopochen aegyptiacus (Linnaeus, 1766). Version 2020-09-04. Administration de la nature et des forêts, Luxembourg. 23 pp.
• Dieschbourg, C., 2020. Réponse de la Ministre de l’Environnement, du Climat et du Développement durable à question n°2536 de Monsieur Gusty Graas concernant la propagation de l’ouette d’Égypte. [chd.lu]
• Graas, G., 2020. Question n°2536 de Monsieur Gusty Graas concernant la propagation de l’ouette d’Égypte. [chd.lu]
• Hill, C., 2020. D’lëtzebuergesch Äntwert op den internationalen Nilgäns-Problem. Radio 100,7: 2020-09-22 – 07:20. URL: https://www.100komma7.lu/program/episode/316652/202009220720-202009220725
• Konter, A., 2015. Die weitere Entwicklung der Wasservogelwelt an der Sauer unterhalb von Steinheim in den Jahren 2012-2014. Regulus Wissenschaftliche Berichte 30: 1-34.
• Konter, A., 2021. Zum Brutgeschäft der Nilgänse Alopochen aegyptiaca in Luxemburg. Regulus Wissenschaftliche Berichte 36: 43-58.
• Konter, A. & P. Lorgé, 2009. Vorkommen und Brut von Kanada- Branta canadensis (Linné 1758) und Nilgans Alopochen aegyptiacus (Linné 1766) in Luxemburg. Regulus wissenschaftliche Berichte 24: 49–54.
• Lorgé, P. & E. Melchior, 2015. Vögel Luxemburgs, natur&emwelt, ISBN: 978-2-919920-01-3, 9. Ausgabe, 273 pp.
• MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2020. Alopochen aegyptiaca (Linnaeus, 1766) 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 2020-04-22]
• 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]
• Weiss, J., 2015. Liste der Luxemburger Vogelnamen. Regulus Wissenschaftliche Berichte 29 (2014): 69-79. [PDF 1.1 MB]

 Page content last updated on 2023-08-17. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-27.

1. Cf. Weiss 2015: 73.[↩]

	Raccoon	Status LU: established.1st record: 1979.
	Wäschbier	Status Eur.: established. IAS of EU concern (2016).
	Raton laveur	RA: ISEIA: C3. Harmonia+: 0,33
	Waschbär	Wikipedia:    | Wikispecies: | CABI
	Gewone wasbeer	Back to the list of vertebrates

Brief description

Procyon lotor (Linnaeus, 1758) shows a preference for wetlands and old deciduous forests with hollow trees, often adjacent to water. The species is, however, able to adapt to a high diversity of environmental conditions, including urbanized areas. There is little evidence (but strong suspicion) of species displacement/extinction through predation or interspecific competition by raccoons in Western Europe. Food is often gathered on rubbish dumps or from bins, where the animal can be a nuisance to people. Raccoons are vectors for several diseases, including rabies. The raccoon 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. 2009).

Due to its very pronounced sense of touch, the raccoon can grab the smallest prey with its front paws. Since this often happens in the shallow water of small streams, it looks like it is washing its prey. This behaviour has given the raccoon its name in some languages, e.g. in German “Waschbär” and in French “raton laveur” (Schley & Herr 2019: 65).

IAS of Union concern

In 2016, Procyon lotor (Linnaeus, 1758) 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

Procyon lotor (Linnaeus, 1758) is probably present in Luxembourg since the 1970s, mainly in the Oesling area (Becker-Krüll & Schaefer 2013). The first record in Luxembourg dates from 1979 (Pelt 1979; Schley & Herr 2019: 64). The first observation documented in the Recorder-Lux database dates from 1989 and was found in Munshausen, Municipality of Clervaux (MNHNL 2000-).

In the last few years, different cases of people keeping raccoons as illegal pets became public in Luxembourg. In August 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture and the Ministry of Health and Social Security issued a common press release informing about the potential presence of the raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis) within the local raccoon population and the risks associated with that parasite.

Management

Action plan

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

→ Finalised Action Plan for Procyon lotor (De Sousa 2020)

Raccoon hunt in Luxembourg

The raccoon is considered a game animal in Luxembourg since 2011.

600 to 700 animals have been shot per hunting season between 2011 and 2013 (Schley et al. 2014: 25). The numbers increased in the following years to reach 900 shot raccoons in the hunting season 2017-2018 (Schley & Cellina 2018: 11) and 1.347 in 2021-2022 (Jacobs & Schley 2022). The geographical distribution of shot raccoons is in line with the raccoon distribution based on data from Recorder-Lux, GBIF and iNaturalist (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2024). In 2021 the estimated population was around 20.000 individuals (Tiago de Sousa in Adami 2022: 5).

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

C3 (3+2+2+1) (Ries et al. 2014: 199).

Harmonia+ protocol

Overall risk score 0,33 = (Overall Invasion score 0,56 x Overall Impact score 0,58) (evaluated by Sandra Cellina, Roland Proess and Jan Herr).

Worldwide distribution

Fact sheet

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

Bibliography

• Adami, J., 2022. Invasive Tierarten: Achtung, Problembärchen. woxx n°1673: 4-5 (2022-02-25).
• 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. 96 pp. 1. Aufl. Hrsg. Naturverwaltung Luxemburg. (Order or download PDF)
• Branquart, E., M. D’aes, B. Manet, G. Motte, V. Schockert & J. Stuyck, 2009. Harmonia database: Procyon lotor (Linnaeus, 1758). Harmonia version 1.2, Belgian Forum on Invasive Species. URL: http://ias.biodiversity.be [accessed on 2019-11-26]
• CABI, 2009. Procyon lotor (Linnaeus, 1758) [original text by Stanley Gehrt]. In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. URL: www.cabi.org/isc [accessed 2019-11-26]
• De Sousa, T., 2020. Plan d’action pour espèces exotiques envahissantes au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg: le Raton laveur, Procyon lotor (Linnaeus, 1758). Version 2020-09-04. Administration de la nature et des forêts, Luxembourg. 23 pp.
• Jacobs, M. & L. Schley, 2022. Bulletin technique de l’Administration de la nature et des forêts en matière de gestion de la faune sauvage et de chasse, numéro 9 (2022) 72 pages.
• 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]
• Kosik-Bogacka, D., N. Osten-Sacken, N. Łanocha-Arendarczyk, K. Kot, B. Pilarczyk, A. Tomza-Marciniak, J. Podlasińska, M. Chmielarz & M. Heddergott, A.C. Frantz, P. Steinbach, 2019. Selenium and mercury in the hair of raccoons (Procyon lotor) and European wildcats (Felis s. silvestris) from Germany and Luxembourg. Ecotoxicology https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-019-02120-3
• MNHNL, 2000-. Procyon lotor (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, 2020. Procyon lotor (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]
• Pelt, J., 1979. Ein überraschendes Jagderlebnis. De lëtzebuerger Jéer 3/79: 23.
• 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. [PDF 2,04 MB]
• 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., C. Schanck, M. Schaul & C. Sinner, 2001. Neubürger und Heimkehrer unter den Wildtieren Luxemburgs. Beiträge zur Jagd- und Wildforschung 26: 141-154.
• Schley, L., R. Reding & S. Cellina, 2014. Bulletin technique de l’Administration de la nature et des forêts en matière de gestion de la faune sauvage et de chasse, n° 3, 72 pp. (Order or download PDF)
• 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]

 Page content last updated on 2024-08-07. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-28.

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

Brief description

Neogobius 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

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

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.