On the day of the protection of species

on 3.3.2023

From the perspective of Gut Aiderbichl

(written by Gisela Pschenitschnig)

The day of the protection of species is from highest importance for the system Earth. This special day is intended to draw attention to the importance of wild animal and plant species in nature.
The red lists of endangered and threatened species have been in existence for 60 years. A total of 180 countries worldwide have signed the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

Habitat loss is the end for many things

When humans began farming and settling, the habitats of animals and also the vegetation. For many centuries, direct exploitation of natural resources was practiced, and chain breaks caused animals and plants to become extinct. It is becoming more and more obvious that with inconsiderate, selfish use of nature, biodiversity is out of balance.
Water and carbon storage is lost as valuable farmland and grassland is built up. In this way, important natural areas are being destroyed, which further increases the extinction of animal and plant species. even more intensified. As an example: in Austria, around 13 hectares of soil are cultivated every day. To get an idea of this, imagine 6,600 soccer fields that are per year per year. This area is available to nature and all the living creatures are no longer available.

Rethinking for the benefit of animals and plants

Any species that goes extinct is "gone". Breeding offspring - is it not an insult to nature? Why do we destroy, only to breed again? to breed again?
At Gut Aiderbichl, for example, a group of aurochs a forever home. Man let the mother of all cattle become extinct. The breed was virtuallyeradicated eradicated. By 1920 German and Polish researchers began began with a re-breeding of the of the great cattle with the huge horns and the red hair on the forehead.

In general, sheep were used for milk and meat production. Their fat was used to make candles, and their manure was used in the fields. The Hungarian Zackel sheep are mentioned for the first time in the 9th century, so they are an ancient breed among sheep. They were the trademark of the Hungarian Puszta and their wool was used for the production of coats. Since the 19th century the merino sheep has been replacing with with its soft wool replaced the scratchy wool of the Zackel sheep sheep.
Another breed of sheep that is threatened with extinction are the Black-nosed sheep, which have been bred since the 15th century. Our Inspector Gadget is a specimen of special beauty among this breed.

The Austro-Hungarian baroque donkeys were also on the verge of extinction, but breeding to safeguard their population was started in good time. There are around 3,000 donkeys in the herd, five of which live at Gut Aiderbichl Henndorf. Crown Prince Rudolf is the largest of our baroque donkeys, which, by the way, are not albinos. All of them together beam at visitors with their delicate light blue eyes. In the baroque era, it was said that this bright blue brought light to the earth. Thus, the white donkey was a bringer of light. It was also said that if you stroke a white donkey, it brings happiness and peace.

Harry, Potter, Casanova and Diego welcome you to Gut Aiderbichl Henndorf. They, and more than 30 Kune Kunes from the Clever Pig Lab, belong to a New Zealand breed of pig that would have become extinct at the end of the 1970s had it not been for a change in thinking. Kune Kunes are now also bred in Europe, the USA and in their native New Zealand.

In general insects worldwide are not sufficiently protected from extinction. A team of researchers reports in the journal "One Earth" that about 76% of insect species living in national parks and other protected areas are not sufficiently present. Insects live in biotopes, only the open sea and Antarctica are devoid of insects. Future nature reserves must provide better conditions for insects - whether in Central Europe, Australia, North America or all the other areas of the world.
No life would be possible without the bee. Bees are indispensable for ecological diversity, pollination and the reproduction of plants. Increasing monocultures and thus the loss of areas where native plants can grow threaten the important work of bees in nature. Pesticides cause trouble for bees because they attack their nervous system.

Man, vegetation and wildlife, the oceans - everything is interwoven in a single web. The web can only hold if man gives priority to the protection of nature.

It's never too late to rethink. No one is too old or too young to turn things in a positive direction. direction. Jvery individual must do his or her part to preserve the habitats for people, animals and vegetation.and eachnyone must start with themselves to change things.to change things. Nature will thank us for it.

Hsincerely, Yours Gisela