Eberhard Leicht confirms that German raccoons were released as an administrative matter rather than a personal order by Hermann Göring
Eberhard Leicht, the former head of the Vöhl Forestry Office, conducted archival research to clarify the history of Germany's raccoon population. While a popular urban legend suggests that Nazi commander Hermann Göring personally ordered the release of the animals, Leicht's research found that the release was an administrative process. The records show that two pairs of North American raccoons were released near the city of Kassel in April 1934, during the time Göring was in charge of forestry, but without his direct personal involvement. Today, Germany's raccoon population has grown to approximately two million, leading to some to label them as invasive pests. However, wildlife ecologist Berit Michler argues that there is little evidence to suggest they pose a significant threat to native biodiversity. While the hunting lobby, represented by other experts like Torsten Reinwald, notes that raccoons can impact native species like amphibians, public opinion remains divided. Some residents view them as adorable animals, while others see them as