Am 19.3.2025 wurde ein weiterer entscheidender Schritt für den Erhalt einer der seltensten Säugetierarten Europas und der Welt gesetzt: Der Alpenzoo Innsbruck-Tirol und die Staatliche Vogelschutzwarte Garmisch-Partenkirchen im Bayerischen Landesamt für Umwelt (LfU) haben offiziell das Artenschutzprojekt zur Rettung der Bayerischen Kurzohrmaus (Microtus bavaricus) gestartet. Im Rahmen eines feierlichen Kick-Off-Events unterzeichneten die Partnerinstitutionen den Vertrag für diese grenzübergreifende Initiative, die sich dem Schutz dieser vom Aussterben bedrohten Wühlmausart widmet.
The Bavarian Pine Vole was first discovered in 1962 near Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Bavaria, Germany). Considered extinct after decades of absence, it was rediscovered in Mittenwald in 2023 by the Bird Protection Agency Garmisch-Partenkirchen at the Bavarian Environment Agency. Until then, the only known population occurred in North Tyrol (Austria), near the Alpenzoo. With an extremely limited range and very small population, the species is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the Austrian Red List and as Extinct / Lost on the German Red List.
Die EUREGIO-Region Zugspitze-Wetterstein-Karwendel ist ein entscheidender Lebensraum für die Art und spielt eine zentrale Rolle im neuen Schutzprogramm. Ziel des Projekts ist unter anderem die Einrichtung eines Artenschutzzentrums am Alpenzoo Innsbruck-Tirol, das den langfristigen Erhalt gefährdeter Kleinsäuger und anderer alpiner Arten sichert. Das Projekt wird dabei zu 75 % aus Mitteln des Interreg Bayern-Österreich Programms sowie durch weitere Mittel des Alpenzoos gefördert.
Funded 75% by the EU’s Interreg Bavaria-Austria 2021–2027 program, with additional support from the Alpenzoo, the project’s measures to protect the Bavarian Pine Vole include:
• monitoring of populations in Tyrol (Austria) and Bavaria (Germany),
• conservation of the species and preservation and management of its habitats, and
• public awareness campaigns and environmental education about this unique Alpine species.
The project also contributes to establishing an IUCN Centre for Species Survival at the Alpenzoo to ensure long-term preservation of endangered small mammals and Alpine species. This aspect is implemented in collaboration with the IUCN SSC Small Mammal Specialist Group.
The Alpenzoo and the Bavarian Environment Agency are jointly committed to preserving this rare species. Dr. André Stadler, Director of the Alpenzoo, emphasized the importance of cross-border cooperation: “This project is a prime example of species and habitat conservation across borders. Together, we can save an endangered species that hardly anyone knows about—but is a vital part of our Alpine biodiversity.”
Sabrina Blandau, Managing Director of EUREGIO Zugspitze-Wetterstein-Karwendel, added: “We are proud to support this unique project through the Interreg program. It’s a meaningful way to contribute to species and nature conservation in the European Alps.” This agreement signals a hopeful future for the Bavarian Pine Vole and a stronger commitment to biodiversity conservation in Europe’s Alpine region.
Günther Platter, President of the Alpenzoo Innsbruck-Tirol Association
Dr. Nora Weyer, Conservation Officer at the Alpenzoo’s Centre for Species Survival
Simon Damerow, Regional Management of EZWK Innsbruck-Land
Sabrina Blandau, CEO of EUREGIO Zugspitze–Wetterstein–Karwendel (EZWK)
Dr. André Stadler, Direktor of the Alpenzoo Innsbruck-Tirol
Dr. Simon Ripperger, Scientific Expert, Bavarian Environment Agency
Pictures: Alpenzoo / T. Steinlechner
