The Brussels Regional Environment Agency Leefmilieu Brussel reports that since the start of the year it has identified two cases of poaching in the Brussels-Capital Region. One of the case was in the Sonien Forest, while the other was in the Elisabeth Park, near to the National Basilica, in the northwest of Brussels.
Although cases of poaching are rare in Brussels, the cases are a cause of concern to the Regional Environment Agency as poaching can lead to public health issues. Hunting is banned in the Brussels-Capital Region and anyone caught hunting illegally risks a fine of between 50 and 62,500 euro.
In January a forest warden found the remains of two wild boar on the edge of the Sonien Forest in Watermaal-Bosvoorde. Leefmilieu Brussel’s spokeswoman Pascale Hourman told the Brussels regional news platform Bruzz that "The forest warden hadn’t seen anything like it in 20 years. Traps had probably been placed and the wild boar cut up at the scene”.
A few weeks later body parts from deer and wild boar were found in the Elisabeth Park in Koekelberg. The animal carcasses were taken to a laboratory where they tested negative for anything that can cause illness among humans or other animals. Nevertheless, Leefmilieu Brussel warns that poaching poses risks to public health.
Upon contact with the remains of animals that have been poached, pathogens can be transmitted to humans and other animals (including African swine fever and classical swine fever). Eating potentially contaminated meat can also cause diseases such as trichinosis or tuberculosis.
Hunting is banned in Brussels
Leefmilieu Brussel stresses that hunting is banned in the Brussels-Capital Region. Anyone caught breaching the ban risks a fine of between 50 and 62,500 euro. The Regional Environment Agency calls on members of the public not to touch any remains of wild animals that they might come across and to report any instances of suspected poaching by email info@environnement.brussels or by calling 02/775.75.75.