[Requirements of raising game pheasants (Phasianus colchicus sp.) in respect to animal welfare laws]. / Anforderungen an eine tierschutzgerechte Aufzucht von Jagdfasanen (Phasianus colchicus spec.).

The present study works for a list of requirements of animal protection on the commercial rearing of common pheasant. Therefore universally valid tags and requirements are evolved for feeding, illumination regiment in the rearing compartments and housing densities and for pheasants freedom from injury. The duty of the veterinary authorities for powerful checkups is pointed out.

[Comparative studies of the release and ability to survive of game pheasants (Phasianus colchicus sp.) from intensive and extensive husbandry]. / Vergleichende Untersuchung zur Auswilderung und Uberlebensfähigkeit von Jagdfasanen (Phasianus colchicus spec.) aus Intensiv- und Extensivhaltung.

Artificially reared pheasants had been released at an age of 10 weeks on two stands in a suitable habitat with a wild pheasant population in Lower Saxony, Germany. Two groups (200 pheasants reared in large fly-aviaries, 200 pheasants reared in dark stables) were bought from commercial breeders who offer pheasants for restocking wild populations. Some of the released pheasants were marked with radio-transmitters. There was no significant difference in survival rate between the two rearing groups. Moreover a significant difference in survival rate between the two releasing points could be find out. Within 32 days 114 (30%) of the 380 released pheasants died mainly by predators e.g. fox/martens (44%) and goshawk (12%). 59% of these refound dead pheasants died already within the first week. 20 pheasants died in the releasing-aviary. Most of the released pheasants alive were re-observed within a diameter of 1000 metres from the releasing points. Only some pheasants dispersed more than 2000 metres. No pheasant released could be observed longer than 5 weeks. We suppose that most of pheasants released died within short time.

[The total efficiency of stunning traps for the capture of stone martens and red foxes in hunting situations]. / Die Tötungseffizienz von Schlageisen beim Fang von Steinmarder und Rotfuchs in der jagdlichen Praxis.

The actual paper represents the pathomorphologic changes on martens and foxes hunted in instant killing traps under huntsmanlike conditions. The results are critically discussed concerning the manner of death, the moment of death of the killed animals regarding the relevant legislation.

[Ecological barrier effects of highways on mammals living in the wild--an animal welfare problem]. / Okologische Barrierewirkung von Strassen auf wildlebende Säugetiere--ein Tierschutzproblem.

In the course of may 1992 to April 1993, ecological barrier effects to the Hanover-Berlin Autobahn (Germany) on mammalian wildlife were investigated. In this period 1566 carcases of various species were found on the road. Traffic volume showed an increase of 600% from 1989 (15,000 cars/24 hr) to 1992 (90,000 cars/24 hr). Wildlife use of 13 highway underpasses was monitored by video camera and countline checkpoints. Though they had various dimensions nearly all underpasses investigated were used by mammalians at least by fox, rabbit or marten. Because of the knowledge of the locations both of the maxima points of road mortality of wildlife and their use of controlled underpasses on is able to give recommendations for optimal localisations and dimensions of buildings which makes the wildlife able to pass the traffic line. The investigation proofs that the amount of wildlife killed on roads in Germany has been underestimated about 2000%. The problem of "just" wounded but not instantly killed animals while having an accident is pointed out as a severe problem from the animal welfare's point of view.

[Veterinary tasks in nature and species protection]. / Tierärztliche Aufgaben in Natur- und Artenschutz.

The present paper is designed to give examples of possible fields of activities for veterinary surgeons in the areas of nature conservation and the protection of species. The committed veterinary surgeon, who is eager to extend his/her specialized knowledge obtained at the university will certainly find a sensible and satisfying occupation in the fields of nature conservation, the protection of species and the environment. Creating the optimum prerequisites for these professional opportunities is yet another reason why public funding of the Institute for Game Research and Ecology is indispensable.