Hessen wildlife reports record raccoon numbers and crane migration

Wildlife activity is seeing significant shifts in Hessen, Germany. The invasive raccoon population has reached record levels, with the Hessian Ministry of Agriculture and Hunting reporting 41,147 raccoons recorded during the 2024/25 hunting year. This figure includes both hunted animals and those found dead or killed in traffic accidents. Officials estimate there are approximately 120,000 raccoons in the state, noting that the population in some areas now appears more frequent than the native fox.

To manage the impact of these North American natives—which threaten local species, amphibians, and birds while causing property damage—the state abolished closed seasons for raccoons as of April 1. The population is currently expanding from northern and central Hessen toward the Rhine-Main region.

Simultaneously, the seasonal migration of cranes has begun. The NABU Hessen expects up to 250,000 cranes to pass through the state as they travel from the Baltic Sea toward wintering grounds in southwestern Europe. Birdwatchers are encouraged to observe the migration while maintaining a distance of at least 300 meters from resting sites to avoid disturbing the birds during their journey.