The house arrest for free-ranging cats to protect a songbird species in Walldorf could again be lifted earlier than planned. “This is also possible this year, but it depends on how the breeding activity develops,” said the district office of the Rhein-Neckar district. “We’re looking into that,” added a spokeswoman. A pair of the strictly protected crested lark are breeding for the second time after two young birds left the nest.
Another couple settled on the roof of a supermarket, where their offspring fell victim not to a cat but to corvids. Last year, the birds with the cheeky crest had better luck with reproduction.
In order to protect the rare birds, cats in the southern part of the city are not allowed to leave the house until 2025 from April 1st to August 31st inclusive. Last year, the nationwide unusual measure ended two weeks before the date set in the district’s general decree. Reason: The eight young animals from two breeding pairs were so far developed that cats could no longer be dangerous to them.
The curfew had triggered harsh criticism from cat owners. One went before the administrative court in Karlsruhe. According to the court, the dispute was resolved after the plaintiff was able to use a GPS tracker to prove that the cat was not in the danger zone for the crested lark. The tracking must be continued for the duration of the cat’s release in the validity period of the general decree.
Two other cat friends have opted for GPS tracking and can thus enable the velvet paws to come and go in their house. The number of times the freedom-loving animals are walked on a leash is not known. Alternatively, owners can fence the garden cat-proof.
Violations can result in penalties of up to 500 euros – or up to 50,000 euros if crested larks are injured or killed. No fines have been imposed so far this year, according to the spokeswoman for the district office. No demonstrable violation of the prohibition on killing, injuring or disturbing was found.
The crested lark general decree scope
