The Kangaroos Of Mecklenburg (41/268)

The Kangaroos Of Mecklenburg (41/268)

Kangaroos and racoon dogs, raccoons, nandus and minks - here one thinks of exotic lands. Yet these animals are also to be found in Germany, living free in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania. One night, five years ago, hooligans opened the gates of a pets' corner in the zoo at Burg Stargard. When the zoo director discovered this the next morning, it was already too late. The bennet kangaroos had escaped and found ideal hiding-places in the hilly surroundings. Despite a large search operation involving vets, zoo attendants, foresters and hunters it was no longer possible to capture them. Everywhere animals are abandoned, some escape or are even set free. If the animals are alone, they have no chance of survival. But if there is a couple, and the climate is suitable, then the migrants can settle. This was the case with the running birds from South America, the nandus, who have now established themselves in a rapidly growing colony of 70 birds in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania. Central-American raccoons are also to be found living with minks and racoon dogs from China in the damp riverside forests. But there are also real migrants, for example from China and Russia. The racoon dog was settled in European Russia for hunting in 1928. This cute animal then migrated via Finland to the north of Germany. Now it is on its way to Bavaria.

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