On account of cold temperatures this past winter resulting in the pond nearly freezing over at times, a considerable number of the fish in the pond died. The Austrian Federal Real Estate Company (BIG) promptly commissioned a water quality test to determine the exact cause, revealing that the water is fine (despite an elevated pH-value, it is within a tolerable level for fish). Other parameters, including oxygen content and other aspects, are as expected.

In an effort to determine the cause of the dead fish, the university sent a sample to the Austrian Federal Office for Water Management. They concluded that while several factors are involved, the main issue is the fact that people have been releasing fish into the pond, particularly species unable to cope with the winter temperatures in Upper Austria. In addition, a lack of natural predators resulted in an explosion of the fish population. Another issue is that despite strict rules and information signs, people continue feeding the fish and ducks. JKU Vice-Rector Alexander Freischlager appealed to those on campus: “I urge everyone who loves animals to please refrain from feeding them.” Feeding the fish and ducks results in contamination and attracts birds, like seagulls, thereby severely impacting the pond's pH value.

Coupled with the weather conditions, the fish became sick, facilitating an outbreak of parasitic diseases (identified in the tested fish).

The Federal Real Estate Company plans to take action. Freischlager added: “We may have to eventually remove the fish from the pond.” More importantly however: Please do not release any animals into the pond, and do not feed the ducks and fish!