Drought in Switzerland threatens wildlife and Greifensee ecosystems

Ongoing drought in Switzerland is significantly impacting local ecosystems and wildlife. At Greifensee, water levels have dropped to 434.59 meters above sea level, which is approximately 45 centimeters below the annual average. This decline has caused visible shifts in shorelines, dried out aquatic plants, and left some streams, such as the Dorfbach in Maur, partially or completely dry.

The combination of low water levels and high temperatures—exceeding 26 degrees Celsius—is creating a critical situation for aquatic life. Reduced water volume leads to faster warming and lower oxygen levels, forcing fish like brown trout to move more to breathe, which further increases their oxygen demand.

In residential areas, the drought is driving wildlife, including deer, foxes, and hedgehogs, to search for water in human settlements. This has led to fatal incidents where animals, such as a recent deer, have drowned in unsecured private swimming pools. Authorities are advising residents to secure pools with covers or ramps and to provide shallow, safe water stations in gardens to prevent wildlife from entering dangerous enclosures.