Election for "Animal of the Year 2026" Started

The Nature Conservation Association invited the public to vote for the "Animal of the Year" on Monday. The options are the red deer, the least weasel, and the alpine marmot. All three are repeatedly threatened in their habitats. Votes can be cast until November 2. The election takes place on the homepage of the Nature Conservation Association at www.naturschutzbund.at.

Red Deer, Least Weasel, and Alpine Marmot as Options

According to the organization, the red deer is the largest permanently native wild animal in Austria. Commonly referred to as the "King of the Forest," the red deer was originally an inhabitant of semi-open landscapes and has been pushed into forests in Europe due to human activities. In mountainous regions, it also feels comfortable above the tree line in summer. Unlike roe deer, red deer form herds that provide them with security. The size of the herds depends on the habitat and the density of red deer. Especially male deer have a large spatial requirement and can undertake long migrations, thus ensuring genetic exchange.

The least weasel is the smallest carnivorous mammal in the world. The animals usually have brown fur on the top and are whitish underneath all year round, only in high mountains and some northern regions does their entire coat turn snow-white in winter, similar to the related stoat. According to the Nature Conservation Association, least weasels are solitary and occupy territories where they primarily hunt various voles, but also other mouse species, shrews, birds, lizards, insects, and worms. They hunt both day and night and need to consume about a third of their body weight daily to survive. The main habitat of this tiny marten species is open landscapes, near-natural forests, intact hedges, and extensive agricultural areas.

The alpine marmot is - after the beaver - the second largest native rodent. It lives in the Alps and Carpathians above the tree line in family groups of up to 20 animals. The animals are well adapted to harsh climatic conditions and spend the time from October to March in hibernation, for which they accumulate the necessary fat reserves during the summer months, according to the Nature Conservation Association. During hikes in the mountains, you usually hear the animals long before you see them: One animal always keeps watch and warns the others of danger with whistles.

(APA/Red)

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