Mouflon	Status LU: established. 1st record: 1905.
	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.
	Mouflon	RA: ISEIA: C2. Harmonia+: n/a.
	Mufflon	Wikipedia:    | Wikispecies: | CABI
	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

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

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

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.

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

CABI 2016. https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/71353#toDistributionMaps

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]
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• 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]
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• 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]
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 Page content last updated on 2025-10-22. 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.[↩]

	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

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

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

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

CABI 2019: https://www.gbif.org/species/5220136

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

Sika deer on 26 June 2012 in the game park Alte Fasanerie in Klein-Auheim (Hesse, Germany)

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

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

0,51Invasion
0,56Impact
0,27Risk

Worldwide distribution

CABI 2009. https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/89944#toDistributionMaps

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

CABI 2019: https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/91754#toDistributionMaps

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

CABI 2019: https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/94205#toDistributionMaps

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

Next to a house in Ospern, Luxembourg. Photo: Moni Schulz, 2021-05-13.

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.

Development of the number of raccoons shot since their inclusion in the hunting list in 2011 (Jacobs & Schley 2022)

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

0,56Invasion
0,58Impact
0,33Risk

Worldwide distribution

CABI 2009: https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/67856#toDistributionMaps

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]
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