In June and July, the two salamander barriers between Barnstorf and Waldhof were forcibly destroyed by unknown persons. This caused considerable damage. The town has filed criminal charges in both cases. While one case has already been dropped, the investigation into the second case is still ongoing. Mobile barriers have been in place since this week to secure and protect the salamander population there. These are operated daily by a volunteer from BUND.

At the same time, the administration is preparing to rebuild the facilities. This will probably also involve slight adjustments to the technology. The costs will be in the low to mid five-figure euro range. It is also likely that the transponders issued will need to be replaced. These were issued to members of the Barnstorf volunteer fire department and local farmers who are authorized to open the barrier system under certain conditions. The barriers will continue to be controlled by timers, possibly at fixed times, as this system has proven to be the least susceptible to faults.