Europa – Endangered Wildlife

The "Noble Crayfish" (face value: CHF 1.50) and the "Weasel" (face value: CHF 1.50) are the motifs of Liechtenstein's Europa stamps this year. The member states of the association of European public postal operators (PostEurop) issue stamps on a common theme each year; in 2021 it is "Endangered National Wildlife".

As the world's smallest predator, the weasel populates large parts of Europe and lives wherever there are field mice and shelters. It differs from its close relative, the ermine, by its small body mass and short tail, which lacks the black tip. The marten species is threatened by urban sprawl, traffic and the loss of land as it is now extensively used for agricultural purposes.

Characteristic of the noble crayfish are its claws, which are reddish in colour on the underside and at the joints. As a local resident, it prefers lowland streams and still waters and is predominantly nocturnal. Water pollution, accumulation of mud, but especially monotonous watercourse construction and improper fishing are major threat factors. However, the greatest threat to all native crayfish species is the crayfish plague.