Drought drives wildlife toward deadly water traps

Wild animals are increasingly leaving their usual habitats in search of water as natural water sources dry up, with some ending up in pools and canals, ORF reported. Several animals have already died, while the prolonged drought is also putting increasing pressure on forests.

Deer, hedgehogs, squirrels and birds are finding little water in forests and meadows. They are therefore seeking alternatives and coming more frequently close to homes and settlements.

Upper Austria’s state hunting master, Herbert Sieghartsleitner, said hunters were receiving more reports of dead and dehydrated animals. Many animals are in poor physical condition and severely underweight, he said.

Hunters are setting up additional water points in many places. A water trough in Pettenbach in the Almtal, for example, was installed by private individuals.

At the same time, animals searching desperately for water are increasingly entering dangerous situations. Firefighters have repeatedly been called to rescue wildlife from swimming pools and canals. “Unfortunately, many animals have already drowned,” Sieghartsleitner said. Twelve deer were recently found in one canal after falling in while trying to reach water and being unable to get out.

Sieghartsleitner described the situation as one of total emergency. He said animals were not voluntarily seeking human contact, but were doing so because they could find no other way to quench their thirst.

The hunting community is asking walkers and other nature enthusiasts to disturb the animals as little as possible. People should stay on paths, avoid unnecessary noise and keep dogs on leads. “Wild animals really cannot cope with any additional stressful situation at the moment,” Sieghartsleitner said, adding that the search for food and water was already placing them under severe strain.

The drought is also leaving clear marks on forests. Some trees are already shedding their leaves or beginning to dry out. Franz Kepplinger, head of the Upper Austria Forest Association, described the situation as a struggle for water, saying the dry period and extreme heat had severely affected the forests.

Weakened trees are more vulnerable to other threats, including bark beetles. Kepplinger said the forest’s water supply would need to recover, with groundwater levels eventually rising so the trees could draw on sufficient water again.

The drought is also increasing the risk of forest fires. Kepplinger said many forest owners were contacting the Upper Austria Forest Association about insurance because of the growing fire danger.