A new wildlife rehabilitation centre is opening in Brussels for weakened or injured animals, which will actively contribute to the protection of urban biodiversity and animal welfare in the Belgian capital.
Brussels is home to a wealth of wildlife, but thousands of animals – birds, hedgehogs, squirrels, bats and many others – are affected by the impact of traffic, urbanisation or the destruction of their habitat every year. To provide them with the right care and enable them to return to their natural environment, a modern and high-quality shelter was needed.
At the end of 2023, the Brussels Region committed to purchasing a plot of land on the Campus de la Plaine in Ixelles (which houses VUB and ULB buildings), where the rehabilitation centre will be built.
"Our city can and must be a refuge for all the animal species that live here. This rehabilitation centre will make it possible to provide the best possible care to wild animals in need and to make Brussels residents aware of the need to protect urban fauna," said outgoing Brussels Minister for Environment Alain Maron (Ecolo).
Protecting biodiversity
First and foremost, the centre will make it possible to more effectively shelter and care for injured or distressed wild animals. Additionally, it will strengthen biodiversity protection in Brussels by responding to the increase in the number of animals in need of care. The centre aims to raise awareness of the challenges for animal welfare, and the need for harmonious coexistence between humans and wild animals in the city.
Ducks and ducklings pictured on the lawn at the Royal Castle in Laeken, Brussels. Credit: Belga
A centre of expertise in the field of veterinary care and the conservation of urban animal species will be developed as well, while the centre will also enable the authorities to carry out preventive surveillance of infectious diseases that may circulate among wild animal populations.
The current process is taking place in several phases in order to find the best project and operator for this project. Following a call for applications, the Royal Belgian Association for the Protection of Birds (RBFA) has passed the first selection phase of this project.
In the next phase, the programme of the centre will be defined in detail and a building will be designed with respect for the animals and their welfare, during working sessions between the RBFA and Brussels Environment. The start of the works is scheduled for 2027 and the opening of the centre for 2029.
