In September 2025, a dead mute swan ( Cygnus olor ) was submitted for necropsy via the SOS Wilde Dieren wildlife rehabilitation center and the disease surveillance program of the Agency for Nature and Forests . The animal had been brought to the center in a weakened state and died shortly thereafter. An investigation into the cause of death was therefore warranted. Mute swan, Cygnus olor (© Leni lammens) Necropsy: severe emaciation and striking lesions It concerned an adul

In the spring of 2025, an adult roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ) was found dead and submitted to Wildlife Health Ghent for examination through the disease surveillance program of the Agency for Nature and Forests (ANB). The animal was severely emaciated and dehydrated, with a prominent growth (5 x 3 cm) on the right lower jaw. This mass had displaced several teeth and had caused visible bone damage ( osteolysis ), along with open ulcers and inflammation. No signs of cancer sp

Tawny owl (c) Unsplash In April 2025, a dead tawny owl ( Strix aluco ) was brought in for necropsy via the Nature Inspection of the Agency for Nature and Forests. The animal was found by cyclists along a roadside, with a striking posture: eyes wide open, tail feathers straight up and one claw tensely clenched. Initially, poisoning was suspected, a cause of death that unfortunately occurs frequently in birds of prey in the wild. However, during the necropsy it quickly became c

Reebok (c) Unsplash During spring and summer, roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ) display pronounced territorial behavior. Fights between males are frequent and can lead to injuries. In some cases, these injuries cause serious complications, as shown by two cases reported via the wildlife disease surveillance program of the Agency for Nature and Forests (ANB). CASE 1 In June 2024, a roe deer was brought in from the Geraardsbergen region. The animal showed abnormal behavior and

During a recent field visit, we encountered a striking and grim example of parasitism: the relationship between the common toad ( Bufo bufo ) and the green toad fly ( Lucilia bufonivora ). This fly, which primarily occurs in Northwestern Europe, has a life cycle that comes at the direct expense of its amphibian host. Extensive tissue damage around the eyes and nostrils, caused by fly larvae feeding on the living tissue. (c) Ellen Blomme The green toadfly The adult green toad

A stone marten ( Martes foina ) was brought to a wildlife rescue center with complaints of vomiting. Despite treatment, the animal eventually died and was referred to us for necropsy. Vomiting food can have various causes, usually related to infectious diseases. In this case, however, we have seen a particularly interesting case of a non-infectious cause: the megaesophagus. A marked dilation and overfilling of the esophagus into the chest cavity with pressure on surrounding l

A roe deer found dead was collected as part of the wildlife disease surveillance program conducted by the Agency for Nature and Forests (ANB) in Flanders. The deer discussed in this case was submitted to the Wildlife Health Ghent (WHG) for necropsy under this surveillance initiative. Aspirated L3 larvae in the trachea and at the bifurcation of the bronchi in the lungs of a roe deer. Cephenemyia stimulator , also known as the roe deer botfly, is a parasitic fly that primarily

A fox with mange lesions on its snout, legs, hindquarters, and tail base (c) Naomi Terriere In February 2024, we received an interesting case through the disease surveillance program of the Agency for Nature and Forests (ANB). A severely weakened fox was found in the veranda of a residential home. Staff from the Wildlife Rescue Center (VOC) were able to capture the animal without much difficulty and transfer it to a veterinarian. Due to the advanced stage of its condition, it

As part of a collaboration with Natuurpunt, PhD student Ellen Blomme is investigating the concerning decline of the common toad ( Bufo bufo ). A crucial aspect of this research focuses on testing migrating toads for toad herpes, also known as bufonid herpesvirus 1 (BfHV1). This viral disease was recently discovered and described and has already been documented in countries such as Switzerland (Origgi et al., 2018) and Germany (Eisenberg et al., 2021). During fieldwork in Flan

An European buzzard ( Buteo buteo ) suspected of poisoning was brought to us by the Agency for Nature and Forest (ANB) for necropsy. The bird was found alongside pigeon carcasses treated with a blue poison, suggesting that the buzzard had consumed the illegal bait... Two pigeon carcasses treated with blue dye, also found on the buzzard's talons The buzzard exhibited several typical symptoms of poisoning by acetylcholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides, including cramped hind leg

The Agency for Nature and Forest (ANB) conducts disease surveillance in wild animals in Flanders. A dead roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ) collected as part of this surveillance was submitted to WHG for necropsy. (c) Unsplash An animal, possibly pregnant, was found without external injuries along a hiking trail. During the carcass dissection, several subcutaneous bleedings were observed on the flanks, indicating a collision. It is not uncommon that in such cases of trauma, no

The usutu virus, that causes massive mortality in blackbirds, is back in our country.

A setback for the eagle-owl family of Leuven. A few months ago, three eagle owl chicks were left behind parentless. First, the mother bird disappeared from the scene while days after their father bird was found dead. The team of Wildlife Health Ghent examined the father bird and looked for a cause of death. Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo) (C) Unsplash A necropsy brought clarity. Several white spots were seen on the liver and spleen, pointing towards an infectious dis