Kitzschretter in the district of Altötting: Drohn teams save fawn!

Kitzschretter in the district of Altötting: Drohn teams save fawn!

Altötting, Deutschland - More and more clubs in the Altötting district are passionate about the rescue of fawns, which often get in mortal danger during the mowing season. A brand new project has seen the light of day: the KitzRettung Niedergern e. V. was only founded in May 2025 and is chaired by Andreas Maier. The aim of the association is to track down the fawn and other young wild animals with a drone with a thermal imaging camera before the mowing devices strike. This is intended to significantly reduce the mowing death of the small animals. In order to maximize the efficiency of the rescue campaigns, the Kitzreettung Niedergern cooperates closely with the farmers of the West and is planning targeted operations in the coming months.

In addition to the new association, several initiatives are also active in other parts of the district. The Rehkitz and wildlife rescue Altötting-Mühldorf, Kitzrettungen Neuötting, Töging and Erharting are committed. Drone pilots and hunters who provide valuable support in the search are also strong in use. In fact, it makes sense, because deer put their fawns into dense meadows between the beginning of May and the end of June. These often remain motionless to hide while the goat moves away so as not to give up the weather.

technological support for saviors

The possible uses of drones have increased enormously in recent years. Thanks to a new regulation of the Federal Ministry of Digital, drones can be used closer to built -up areas under certain conditions. This relief not only benefits from the fawn, but also makes it easier to work by farmers. The aim is to check the unnecessary guidelines and to promote drone use for agricultural and animal -protecting purposes. In the future, no minimum distance of 150 meters will have to be observed, instead a distance of only 10 meters is permitted, which makes use significantly and makes over 90 percent more space available for drone inserts.

Federal Minister Dr. Volker Wissing emphasizes that these reliefs should significantly simplify the life of farmers. Drones are increasingly indispensable for the detection of fawns, because the small animals duck reflexively in the high grass and are often not to be seen in time, which leads to fatal accidents. It is estimated that four fawns per 100 hectares of grassland fall victim to mowing death.

funding for drone operations

A crucial aspect for the new Kitz Rescue Niedergern is the desired promotion of drones with thermal imaging cameras as part of a program of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Home. A total of 2.5 million euros are available for 2025, whereby applicants can get up to 60 percent of the costs for the purchase of such a drone. This gives the association the opportunity to quickly purchase a drone and thus professionalize its rescue campaigns.

An important detail for all drone pilots: In order to be legally on the safe side, you need a driver's license and must observe regulations on the maximum flight altitude and age limit. The responsible district tenant must be informed before the assignment. These precautions ensure that the operations are not only animal -protecting, but also respect the legal framework.

Overall, the activities in the Altötting district show that there is a strong awareness of animal welfare and with the help of modern technology how drones is promoted. Thanks to the cooperation between the associations and the farmers, the decline in venue is already visible, and the initiatives continue to promise a positive development in soil protection and animal welfare.