Four raccoons released in Germany grew into 30,000 in Kassel
Intriguingly, German raccoons, previously thought to have ties to Hermann Göring, were dispersed through administrative action. Research uncovering archival documents traces their onset to Kassel in 1934. Moreover, genetic studies have pinpointed several other deliberate releases across eastern Germany. These highly adaptable creatures have proliferated throughout Europe, raising alarms over…
German raccoons once believed to have been released by Nazi Hermann Göring actually began in the area near Kassel, according to research by Eberhard Leicht. The animals were released near Lake Edersee in 1934, starting a population that would expand throughout Germany and beyond. Today, Kassel is known as the "raccoon capital of Europe", with an estimated urban population of 30,000.
The raccoons' DNA suggests at least two additional significant releases in eastern Saxony and the Harz Mountains. These adaptable creatures have spread across borders, reaching the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Spain, Sweden, and Greece. While their population has quadrupled in Germany, causing significant property damage, studies show they may not be as harmful to native species as previously thought.
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