Bavarian Pine Vole

The Bavarian Pine Vole is a truly mysterious species of vole. Not only is it shy and lives underground like other voles, but it is also extremely rare! The species was first discovered in 1962 near Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Bavaria and was considered lost after decades without any sightings—until 2023, when individuals were rediscovered in Mittenwald following years of dedicated searches by the Bavarian Environment Agency (LfU).Until then, the only other known population was located in North Tyrol, near Alpenzoo Innsbruck-Tyrol. Due to its small and isolated range and very low population size, it is listed as “Extinct or Missing” on Germany’s Red List and as “Critically Endangered” on Austria’s Red List. The Bavarian Pine Vole is considered the rarest mammal species in Europe—and perhaps even in the world! 

Through a conservation project, Alpenzoo aims to protect this endangered species from extinction. This includes safeguarding the species and its habitats in the wild as well as breeding programs in zoos, with the goal of releasing individuals into suitable natural areas. A few Bavarian Pine Voles are already living at Alpenzoo—currently behind the scenes, where they can reproduce undisturbed. When they’re not busy digging tunnels, they particularly enjoy eating seeds, root vegetables, and fresh meadow herbs. 

The Bavarian Pine Vole has very small eyes and ear pinnae, and a shorter tail compared to other voles. However, it is very difficult to distinguish it from its more common sister species, the Common Pine Vole. To tell them apart, researchers must analyze their DNA in the lab or perform detailed measurements of their teeth and skulls.