The cats have to stay indoors because the crowned lark does not do well in Waldorf, a small town in Baden-Württemberg.

Crowned larks build their nests on the ground, so they hatch eggs in an area that is easily accessible to predators such as domestic cats. To prevent cats from stealing birds’ eggs, cat owners are being urged to keep their furry friends indoors this summer.

If animal owners do not respond to this call, they risk a fine of up to 500 euros. If you kill a crowned lark cat, the owner can expect a fine of up to 50,000 (!) Euros. If the cat owner can demonstrate that his cat is truly harmless, the cat can be excused from closure procedures.

Absolutely anyone who wants to let their cat out of the house can use a cat harness that may be no more than two meters in line.

By the way, the closure applies only to the south of the city, where the crowned lark builds its nest.

Cat insurance isn’t the only solution they came up with at Waldorf to protect the crowned lark. Construction will also be halted at least until August and magpie and fox traps will be put in place.