New district hunter Lengert fights for nature conservation in the Aurich district

New district hunter Lengert fights for nature conservation in the Aurich district

A change in hunting and nature conservation is imminent in the Aurich district. Gernold Lengert has taken over the office of the new district hunter master and is bringing a breath of fresh air into the hunting community. In an interview with NWZonline He says that hunting is increasingly being recognized as an important nature conservation measure. This is not least due to human-caused challenges such as habitat loss and threats to animal species.

A particularly explosive issue is the influence of invasive species, such as nutria, which endanger dike protection. These rodents, which originally come from South America, pose a real danger to hydraulic structures and, as in the Pinneberg District Hunters' Association reported to be consistently hunted. With 1008 nutria killed in the last hunting year, the number has doubled and these alarming figures make it clear that there is a need for action.

Challenges and priorities

The challenges facing hunters are not diminishing. Disease outbreaks among wildlife and habitat loss are just a few examples. In his new position, Lengert emphasizes the importance of public relations, teamwork and transparency. In order to promote the acceptance of hunting among the population, he would like to see an open dialogue in which everyone involved pulls together.

Great emphasis is placed on protecting endangered species, particularly ground-nesting birds. Predator control plays a crucial role in this. Predation pressure from species such as raccoon dogs, which has increased significantly in recent years, is another sign of the challenges. This is what the numbers show Pinneberg District Hunters' Association, that the number of raccoon dogs shot increased from 489 to 785, while the number of foxes and raccoons shot fell sharply.

The changing nature of hunting

The role of hunters has had to change in recent years. From the image of the privileged hunter to an active conservationist and partner in matters of biodiversity. Lengert, who also contributed to the Aurich Declaration of Coastal Hunters, is specifically committed to effective wolf management and sees moderation between hunters and authorities as a key to better cooperation.

With a view to the future of the hunting community, Lengert would like to see a high level of willingness to compromise. It's not just about dealing with the challenges, but also about promoting the next generation of hunters. With a proportion of women of 25% and the desire to train new young hunters, the hunting community is clearly positioning itself in the spirit of social developments.

Hunting, with its various facets, is much more than just a hobby; it is a responsibility towards nature. Especially against the background of EU policy that regulates the influence of invasive alien species, it becomes clear how important it is to act together here. According to that Hunting Association The need for action to combat these species and their impact on biodiversity is more urgent than ever. Hand in hand with agriculture and the responsible authorities, the goal of protecting biodiversity could become more tangible.

The new course under Gernold Lengert not only offers challenges, but also opportunities. It remains to be seen how the hunting community in the Aurich district will develop and whether the joint efforts will bear fruit.