Bavarian police step up patrols for wildlife protection

In the Oberpfalz and Lower Bavaria regions, police are actively patrolling to safeguard wildlife and the environment. Their efforts include searching for illegal traps and poisoned bait, as well as attending to injured or deceased animals. This proactive approach is part of the "wildLIFEcrime" project, an EU-funded initiative aimed at combating nature-related crime in Germany and Austria, with police presenting their conservation work in Ursensollen-Waldhaus near Amberg.

Despite strict prohibitions, authorities frequently register offenses against wild animals, including protected species like wolves, lynx, beavers, and birds of prey. The police are not only conducting checks in forests, meadows, and hiking trails but also engaging with the public. They urge anyone who spots suspicious activity, such as a dead animal, bait, or a hidden trap, to report it immediately.

A significant investigation is underway following the discovery of 17 dead birds in Simbach bei Landau in July 2025. Among the victims were protected species like red kites, black kites, and buzzards. Police suspect the birds ingested bait laced with the poison Carbofuran, leading to their deaths. The Deggendorf public prosecutor's office is handling the case.