Rethinking Urban Wildlife Management in Brussels

The Current Situation

Brussels is home to a surprising diversity of wild animals, even in its most urban areas. Foxes, rats, hedgehogs, bats, birds, and other species have adapted to city life, using parks, green spaces, railways, and even rooftops as their habitat. Foxes, for example, are now present in over 82% of the Brussels territory.

But as our city grows and becomes denser, encounters between humans and wild animals increase — often leading to conflict, misunderstanding, or harm. Calls for pest control and public safety measures frequently lead to lethal methods, with limited long-term impact. This raises an urgent question: how can we live alongside urban wildlife more sustainably and compassionately?

What the Facts Say

• Foxes are protected under Brussels’ environmental regulations. They are not considered dangerous to humans and play an important role in controlling rodent populations.

• Rats are estimated to be as numerous as the human population of the city. They are currently managed through poison and traps, which harm not only rats but other animals (and pose risks to pets and children).

• Many “nuisance” species (e.g. pigeons, gulls) fall into the category of liminal animals: species that live in human-dominated environments but are given little legal protection.

  
  

Despite existing legislation, urban wildlife is still managed reactively, often prioritizing human convenience over ecological balance and animal welfare.

Who’s Already Working on This

• Leefmilieu Brussel (Brussels Environment) provides information and some protection for wild species, but lacks a cohesive urban wildlife strategy.

• NGOs like Natagora and Vogelbescherming Vlaanderen work on biodiversity and bird conservation, though not always focused on urban settings.

• Some municipalities have experimented with more ecological rodent management and awareness campaigns (e.g. posters on feeding wildlife, info on non-toxic methods).

  
  

However, city-wide coordination is still lacking, and most residents don’t know who to contact when they encounter wild animals or how to respond ethically and effectively.

What Can Be Done Differently

• Educate citizens on how to coexist with urban wildlife: why foxes don’t need to be feared, why not to feed pigeons, how to seal waste and shelter points without harm.

• Promote non-lethal control methods for rats and pigeons, like habitat modification, food source reduction, ultrasonic repellents, and fertility control where possible.

• Integrate wildlife into urban planning by preserving green corridors, planting native vegetation, and adapting building codes to prevent trapping or killing animals during construction.

• Create a city-wide hotline or reporting system for wildlife encounters and issues, linked to trained responders and animal protection services.

• Launch public campaigns to challenge stigma around animals like rats and foxes, and raise awareness about their role in urban ecosystems.

• Tackle the impact of urban waste on wildlife: Litter and overflowing bins attract animals, expose them to harmful substances, and reinforce negative stereotypes (especially for rats, pigeons, and gulls). Reducing littering, educating the public, and working with Bruxelles-Propreté to improve waste collection and street cleanliness are essential steps in protecting both animals and public health.

  
  

Call to Action: Get Involved

Would you like to join a working group on Urban Wildlife in Brussels to bring together citizens, experts, and organisations interested in building a more humane and informed approach to cohabiting with wild animals in our city?

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Let’s move from conflict to coexistence, and make Brussels a model for ethical urban wildlife management.