At the same time, the two biologists and science communicators point to the limits within the animal world in order to counter the enormous challenges of the human age.
Because whether lion, titmouse or butterfly or dog, cat or pig: wild animals and pets can adapt surprisingly well to changing environmental conditions. And often surprisingly quickly, as we know today and as author Kästner emphasizes: "Cockatoos in Australia have learned to open garbage cans to get food. And pigs sometimes free their conspecifics when they have been locked up."
But such adaptations are not limitless. Wild animal populations are dwindling, species are dying out; animals in stables and indoors are experiencing massive suffering. Norbert Sachser and Niklas Kästner use the latest scientific findings to explain how dramatically the habitat of wild animals has changed in the human age and how pets are living a life that does not meet their complex needs due to extreme husbandry conditions and questionable breeding objectives. Their final verdict: "There is no way around radically changing the way we treat nature if we want to preserve natural diversity on our planet."
Norbert Sachser and Niklas Kästner: "Tierwelt am Limit. The amazing adaptation strategies of wild and domestic animals and their failure in the Anthropocene", Rowohlt-Verlag 2026, hardcover edition: €26, e-book: €21.99
Further information for editors:
Dr. Niklas Kästner, Osnabrück University
School of Biology/Chemistry
niklas.kaestner@uos.de
