Raccoons in Germany not released by Göring, research shows

The story of how raccoons came to Germany is a tale of myth and misunderstanding. For decades, a popular narrative claimed that Hermann Göring, a prominent Nazi leader, personally ordered the release of North American raccoons into the wild near the Edersee reservoir in central Germany. This story was widely repeated by tourist guides, local politicians, and the general public, with some even believing that Göring attended the release himself. However, research by Eberhard Leicht, the former head of the Vöhl Forestry Office, has debunked this claim. Leicht discovered that an application was indeed made to the Prussian hunting office to release two pairs of raccoons near the Edersee, with the stated purpose of "enriching the fauna." The application was made during the time when Göring was in charge of forestry and hunting, but Leicht found no evidence that Göring was personally involved in the decision. As Alain Frantz, a zoology curator at the Luxembourg Museum of Natural History, noted, "The particular Nazi aspect, I think that's a British obsession." This suggests that the Nazi connection may have been exaggerated or even fabricated, possibly due to post-war perceptions of Germany.

Today, the raccoon population in Germany has grown significantly, with an estimated two million animals. The city of Kassel, near the original release site, has been called the "raccoon capital of Europe," with an urban population of around 30,000. Genetic studies by Alain Frantz, who sampled DNA from over 400 raccoons across Germany, have revealed that there were at least two other significant releases of raccoons, leading to distinct populations in eastern Saxony near the Czech border and in the Harz Mountains in northern Germany. These separate introductions have contributed to the genetic diversity of the German raccoon population. In Central Europe, the raccoon population grew by 300% between the 1990s and 2018, expanding into new territories in both cities and forests. Raccoons have been found as far afield as Spain, Sweden, and Greece, indicating their ability to spread across the continent.

The rapid growth of the raccoon population has led to concerns about their impact on native wildlife and human property. Raccoons are known for their habit of establishing communal toilets, where they defecate in the same place, which can be a nuisance. Newspapers in Germany have described raccoons as an invasive "hoard," "a plague," and a group of "little gangsters," blaming them for thousands of Euros in property damage. However, the evidence for raccoons harming native species is limited. Bernd Michler, a researcher, has pointed out that there are many "silly stories" about raccoons in Germany but not enough real research. In the United States, where raccoons are native, increasing raccoon numbers have been linked to declining songbird populations, but this connection has not been clearly established in Germany. Raccoons' ability to climb and swim allows them to access almost any area, making them difficult to control.

The controversy over raccoons in Germany reflects broader debates about invasive species and how to manage them. While some people view raccoons as a nuisance, others appreciate them for their adaptability and intelligence. The true story of their introduction, as revealed by Leicht's research, shows that the Nazi connection was likely a myth. This finding challenges the popular narrative and highlights the importance of evidence-based research in understanding ecological history. As the raccoon population continues to grow, it will be important to study their impact on the environment and to develop effective management strategies that balance conservation concerns with public opinion.