Species Extinction in Saxony: Partridges and Lapwings Are Severely Threatened

Animals such as the partridge and the brown trout are to receive greater protection in Saxony in the future. The Saxon State Foundation for Nature and the Environment (LANU) plans to step up its efforts to protect both species in light of the ongoing loss of biodiversity, said Foundation Director Robert Clemen in Dresden. The loss of biodiversity is proceeding on an unprecedented scale and is becoming a threat to the planet. It is imperative to take countermeasures to prevent a massive collapse.

According to the foundation, numerous species have already been lost. For example, the curlew and the black-tailed godwit no longer live in Saxony. The same applies to the freshwater fish species Schneider. The partridge population has shrunk to one percent of its original size over the past 30 years, while the lapwing population has fallen to seven percent. In particular, the wet meadows and pastures where birds such as the lapwing live are among the most threatened habitats in Central Europe.

Together with scientists from the Czech Republic, the foundation also plans to focus on the brown trout in the Ore Mountains. These salmonids require cold, oxygen-rich flowing waters. If water temperatures rise above 15 degrees, a specific liver parasite can multiply rapidly and kill the fish. 

Plans to Release Partridges into the Wild

“We will also focus more intensively on getting involved in such concrete species conservation projects again,” Clemen emphasized. For example, in cooperation with the Leipzig Zoo, the foundation plans to release partridges into the wild on its own land, likely starting in 2027. The Leipzig Zoo was already a partner in the field hamster project.

The state foundation focuses primarily on environmental education and nature conservation. Since 1992, there has been a nature conservation fund financed by donations, funds from the Glücksspirale lottery, and compensation payments—such as those required of companies for interventions in nature. The money is used to fund projects and purchase land.

Habitat network for the barn owl

In 2025, 35 projects were supported with a total of 365,000 euros. The smallest project received 500 euros and involved an informational event on the blood-bear—a butterfly species whose caterpillar feeds on the poisonous ragwort, which is dangerous to grazing animals. The largest project (24,500 euros) involved a habitat network for the barn owl in the Zwickau district.

Currently, the state foundation owns 41 parcels of land totaling 1,450 hectares. The foundation’s three environmental outreach vehicles and its environmental bus for children made approximately 450 stops last year, reaching around 7,000 girls and boys, according to the report. The “Young Nature Guardians of Saxony” program, run by the foundation, currently has more than 800 participants in 55 groups. In addition, 48 nature conservation stations received approximately 3.4 million euros in funding. The foundation’s budget is about 9.5 million euros.