Five hard-to-believe non-April Fools' stories from Denmark

Here at The Local Denmark we like a good April Fools’ jape as much as anyone. But since we last year pretended that Denmark would no longer be able to come top of international lists, and this has now - sort of - come true, we decided to go easy this year.

Instead, here are some of our favourite stories from the last year or so that could have been mistaken for April Fools’, had they been posted on the date in question. Alas (or in some cases fortunately) all of these stories are as factual as can be.

1. 300-year-old turd offers insight into Denmark’s past

On initial glance it might stink a bit, but this story is clean enough.

Archaeologists found the excrement of a buckwheat-eating bishop from the 17^th century and we all learned something about Denmark of centuries past.

“This little piece of crap is a little piece in the story of our shared history,” said researcher Jakob Ørnbjerg.

The so-called 'bishop's clump'. Photo: Rogvi Nolsøe Johansen/Scanpix

2. People peed on these Copenhagen trees so often they had to be cut down

Danes are known to be precocious drinkers at times, but are their bladders really so weak that they can urinate trees into oblivion?

It would appear so.

In January, two 25m tall trees next to one of Copenhagen’s most-visited tourist spots, the round tower, were chopped down, apparently unable to take it anymore.

The trees next to Copenhagen's Round Tower had to be cut down as urine had rotted them out. Photo: Iris

3. Sex campaigns lead to Danish baby boom

Remember those racy Danish travel ads that went viral a couple of years back? Sure you do. Young Danes were encouraged to take a holiday, “do it for Denmark” and make their parents happy by giving them a grandchild.

What you might not know is that they worked so well they caused an actual baby boom, with 2016 seeing 1,200 more newborns than the year before.

These two are preparing to 'do it for mom'. Screen shot: Spies Travel

4. Police hunt baboon on loose in Denmark

Yes, that’s a baboon. In Denmark. In January.

The dog-sized primate had to be tracked down and caught after it broke out of a zoo near Esbjerg.

Police warned citizens not to approach the animal, concerned that it might turn to violence if provoked.

Photo: EBFoto/Depositphotos

5. Danish schoolboy finds German WW2 aircraft and pilot

It might seem unlikely, but a crashed Messerschmidt from 1944 stayed undetected beneath farmland in North Jutland for over 70 years before being found by a local schoolboy who just happened to be doing his history homework.

We found this story no less unbelievable than fascinating, with a touch of sadness thrown in – particularly after the details of the pilot, who was buried with the wreck, were unearthed.

The missing Messerschmidt Bf 109 was similar to the one shown here. Photo: Nyvlt_art/Depositphotos

Happy April 1st from The Local's team to all our readers. Have any stories that could pass for April Fools'? We're always glad to hear from you on Facebook, Twitter or via email.