Report Any Ticks You Find: NABU's Urgent Call to Action!
"Conservation group prompts public to share tick sightings" - Report Ticks to The Nature Conservancy
Hey there! Let's talk about ticks and why you, yes you, could play a vital role in helping researchers better understand these eight-legged critters.
The German Nature Conservation Association (NABU) is making a plea to the public: if you spot a tick, take a picture and report it to them via the NABU-Naturgucker online platform! It's crucial to remove the tick first, then capture a clear image of it. This applies to ticks found on both humans (armpits or knees) and pets alike. The collaboration between NABU and the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover aims to shed light on the development of tick species in Germany amidst climate change.
Recent years have seen an alarming increase in tick sightings across Berlin and Brandenburg, with Brandenburg reporting ticks nearly everywhere—from the heart of cities to parks and zoos. As a biologist even remarks, "You can assume that there are ticks everywhere there are larger green areas, even in the city center of Berlin." Ticks are not confined to the woods; these creatures lurk wherever there's plenty of green space.
But don't sweat over the scorching weather this Saturday, as it's not a sign of heightened tick activity! Ticks are disinclined towards extreme heat, preferring moderate temperatures and damp environments. A warmer climate, however, may extend their active periods, making them a year-round concern.
By participating in this initiative, researchers hope to gain insights into the evolution of castor bean ticks and other tick species in Germany in response to climate change. Photos of the top and bottom of the tick are essential, as it can be challenging to tell them apart based on a single image.
You might be wondering, "But what are the dangers of these creepy critters?" Well, Germany is home to 20 tick species, some of which can transmit diseases like Lyme disease and early summer meningoencephalitis (FSME). With climate change shifting the distribution of ticks from the Mediterranean and Southeast Europe, there's a growing concern that these intruders could bring new pathogens with them.
In Brandenburg, the districts of Elbe-Elster, Oberspreewald-Lausitz, Oder-Spree, Spree-Neiße, and Frankfurt (Oder) have been designated as high-risk zones for FSME. It's a virus transmitted through tick bites, but luckily there's a vaccine available to combat it.
So, turn that panic into action! Keep your eyes peeled for ticks while enjoying nature, and remember to report any sightings to NABU. It's a small step that could help protect both human health and the environment!
- German Nature Conservation Association (NABU)
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover
- Brandenburg
- Ticks
- Tick-borne Diseases
- Climate Change
- Lyme Disease
- Early Summer Meningoencephalitis (FSME)
- The German Nature Conservation Association (NABU) is partnering with the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover to study the impact of climate change on the development of tick species in Germany, urging the public to report any tick sightings via the NABU-Naturgucker online platform.
- Scientists are particularly interested in understanding the evolution of castor bean ticks and other species in response to environmental changes, as accurate documentation of tick distribution can help mitigate potential health risks associated with tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease and early summer meningoencephalitis (FSME).
- By recording and reporting tick sightings, individuals can contribute to the health-and-wellness of both themselves and their surroundings, as ticks are known carriers of various diseases that could be prevented or managed with proper scientific research and environmental understanding.
- This collaboration between science and the environment is crucial for maintaining a healthy ecosystem, as climate change may extend the active periods of ticks and potentially introduce new tick species and diseases into previously unaffected regions, making it an imperative issue for mental-health, fitness-and-exercise, skin-care, and overall wellbeing.
