BLOG "Wildes Leben"

It is impressive to see how an increasingly clear picture is emerging of the challenges and possible courses of action that shape hunting-free ecosystems. Established practical knowledge, scientific assessments, and everyday observations interlock here and open up new approaches for further developing the model.

The next step: a joint meeting in the new year

The next step is an exchange among all involved stakeholders. We look forward to jointly reflecting on the insights gained so far and taking up new impulses. The aim is to further refine and sharpen the “hunting-free ecosystems” model based on the diverse professional backgrounds.

A research process with a future

With every piece of feedback, every conversation, and every new insight, a shared understanding grows of how a future coexistence between humans and wildlife can be shaped. We look forward to continuing this journey with you and jointly shaping the next steps of the project.

Since April 1st, 2025, the area has also been officially hunting-free. Today, it provides a home for a new pack — whether they are her direct descendants is currently being examined genetically.

Offspring and pack life:
Over the years, GW180f gave birth to numerous offspring. Particularly noteworthy was the year 2019/20: together with her daughter GW1199f, a double reproduction occurred — both females had litters. A total of ten pups could be verified. This made her pack one of the largest in the Lusatian wolf region.

A rare, long wolf’s life:
In the wild, wolves rarely live beyond ten years. That GW180f reached the age of 13 is exceptional. She owed her long life in part to the protected habitat she occupied. The fact that she was able to remain in her familiar territory in old age and illness — and did not die due to external violence — makes her story particularly meaningful.

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The old she-wolf of Bergener See shows how valuable low-disturbance refuges are within our cultural landscape. Her life stands for adaptability and the importance of undisturbed ecosystems. Her legacy lives on in her descendants — and perhaps even in the new pack at Bergener See.

Bats such as the Noctule (Nyctalus noctula), the Daubenton’s bat (Myotis daubentonii), and the whiskered bats (Myotis brandtii, Myotis mystacinus) are among the key target species of conservation projects in the Lusatian Lake District.

The Noctule prefers to hunt large flying insects such as moths and beetles, which it captures in open airspaces above meadows, forest edges, or bodies of water. It uses old tree cavities in structurally rich forests as roosts. Daubenton’s bat, on the other hand, specializes in hunting directly over water surfaces, where it catches mosquitoes, caddisflies, and other small insects. It depends on open water surfaces and shelters in tree cavities or structures such as bridges. Whiskered bats are true forest dwellers that feed on small insects like mosquitoes, flies, and leafhoppers. They require structurally diverse landscapes with hedgerows and forest edges and use narrow crevices in trees or buildings as roosts.

Between 2005 and 2024, numerous projects were implemented in the post-mining landscape of the municipality of Elsterheide, positively affecting bat fauna. Ecological forest conversion, the enhancement of forest edges, and the creation of diverse habitat mosaics have greatly increased landscape structure. As a result, more roosting opportunities and better orientation features for hunting bats have emerged.

During this period, not only did existing species become more active, but new species also appeared. Among others, the barbastelle (Barbastella barbastellus), the greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis), the Leisler’s bat (Nyctalus leisleri), and the long-eared bats (Plecotus sp.) have been recorded. These species reflect a wide range of hunting and survival strategies: the barbastelle specializes in small moths in old mixed forests; the greater mouse-eared bat collects ground beetles and other soil-dwelling insects directly from the forest floor; Leisler’s bat hunts moths and mosquitoes in tree-rich landscapes; and long-eared bats are known for their ability to pick insects directly off leaves. The strong increase in bat call activity between 2005 and 2022 is likely linked to a growing supply of insect prey.

Monitoring of the animals is carried out in an especially wildlife-friendly manner. Instead of capture methods, a modern bat detector is used, which makes the animals’ ultrasonic calls audible, can record multiple calls simultaneously, and identify species based on their frequencies. It documents bat activity precisely, stores the data digitally, and thus enables gentle yet informative monitoring over many years.

The increasing presence of various bat species clearly shows how the former post-mining landscape has gradually transformed into a valuable habitat. Today, it is not only attractive to bats but also offers new opportunities for numerous other species. Through targeted conservation measures, a heavily used industrial landscape has evolved into a diverse natural environment.

One monitoring observation was particularly fascinating: while cattle grazed behind a wolf-proof fence in this area, the new pack was observed only a few hundred meters away snacking on pears. The footage shows how closely agricultural use and wild nature can coexist.

To learn more about the animals' origins, we forwarded a scat sample to the LUPUS Institute. The genetic analysis is expected to reveal which pack the wolves belong to. Currently, three adult wolves and two pups live in the Bergener See protected area. The footage we are sharing with you is from August 2025. We’ll keep you updated.