Wild Rügen - Tourism vs. nature conservation | DW Documentary

The documentary "Wild Rügen - Tourism vs. nature conservation" focuses on the ongoing efforts to balance human tourism with environmental protection on Germany's most visited island, Rügen. The narrative centers on Stefan Krueger,

the head ranger of the Southeast Rügen Biosphere Reserve, and his colleagues, who manage this delicate coexistence through education, research, and active conservation projects.

Key Conservation Initiatives

The rangers are involv

ed in several targeted projects to support local biodiversity:

Tree Management: Stefan assesses old trees, such as a 30-meter European beech, near public hiking trails. Rather than felling dangerous trees completely, they trim the

m to create standing deadwood, providing vital habitats for woodpeckers, nuthatches, and insects [03:31], [05:18].

Reptile Protection: Adders are native to the area but are shy and often threatened by off-leash dogs. Rangers work

to educate tourists on the importance of keeping dogs leashed to protect both the wildlife and the pets [07:48]. Additionally, volunteer junior rangers help construct reptile-friendly habitats by digging frost-free zones and build

ing rock piles to provide shelter for snakes and lizards [14:47], [16:17].

Nesting Assistance: To support the common tern, the team builds and launches floating rafts in secluded ponds, creating safe, predator-resistant nesting si

tes away from raccoons and otters [09:22], [10:13].

Bat Conservation: Rangers monitor bat colonies in old buildings, such as a former East German bungalow, by installing boards and trellises to assist with grip and provide safe nu

rsery spots for raising young [20:32], [20:48].

The Conflict: Tourism vs. Nature

The core challenge is the high volume of visitors, with over 1.2 million tourists annually [00:52]. This influx creates several issues:

Activity Impa

ct on Nature Ranger Response

Off-leash dogs Threatens ground-nesting birds and snakes Education and leash enforcement [07:48]

Biking off-path Damages fragile habitats/sandy patches Signage and personal dialogue [24:18]

Tourism spr

awl Shrinking natural food and shelter Creating targeted micro-habitats [19:45]

The Role of the Ranger

Stefan Krueger describes his work as a calling, positioning himself and his team as mediators between people and nature [02:21]

, [02:49]. Their strategy relies heavily on:

Public Education: Rather than purely punitive measures, rangers engage with tourists to explain the importance of the reserve, often finding that visitors become more mindful once they

understand the fragility of the ecosystem [25:29].

Long-term Commitment: By involving the local community—specifically through training junior rangers—they aim to instill a sense of responsibility for the environment in the next g

eneration [14:06].

Data Collection: Activities such as mapping bird sightings, monitoring reptile populations, and using wildlife cameras to track predators like raccoons help the team make informed decisions about where to focus

their protection efforts [01:22], [18:34], [23:20].

The documentary emphasizes that while the island is a popular vacation destination, its natural beauty depends on human restraint. Stefan remains dedicated to his home, believing

that the effort required to protect Rügen's wild spaces is essential for their survival [26:03].

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAwiu_efcMk

Wild Rügen - Tourism vs. nature conservation | DW Documentary

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