Category: Research Results

This message was updated on December 6th, 2024; the map has been replaced by a map with the latest updates.

From July to September 2024 increased disease occurrence and correlating mortality were noticed, especially in blackbirds. Reports to the DWHC and Sovon increased steeply (see also Read more

Since August 1st, the number of reports of sick and dead hares (Lepus europaeus) has increased. These reports are mainly from Gelderland and Overijssel.

Foto: © vinder In November 2023 a young wolf was found dead in the mud in the woods of the Northern Veluwe, a nature reserve in the centre of the Netherlands. The animal could not free itself and died. It was brought to the Dutch Wildlife Health Centre (DHWC) in Utrecht where it was investigated by ecologists

Since the last major outbreak of bird flu in 2023, mainly among gulls and terns, the spread of bird flu among wild birds in the Netherlands has been relatively little. However, the virus is still around. It is important to stay vigilant on sick and dead birds.

Bird flu is still present among wild birds in the Netherlands. The virus is now endemic in wild bird populations and still causes mortality, although fortunately less than last summer. Some birds have built up partial protection (immunity) against the disease, which means they die less quickly but are also sick

Dead white stork. Photo: Ferry Brands On 16 July 2023, an almost fully fledged white stork (Ciconia ciconia) was found under its nest in Megen, Noord-Brabant. Half an hour before the young was practising wing flapping. The stork was collected by the DWHC in Utrecht to investigate the cause of death.

At the end of June 2023, a roebuck in the province of Limburg was put out of its misery and collected for research by the DWHC in Utrecht. The roebuck had swollen front legs, had difficulty standing, did not flee when approached and was shaking a little with his head (tremor).

In mid-April 2023, a dead female adult sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) in poor body condition was submitted to the DWHC for pathological investigation.

In January and February 2023, the DWHC has examined four beavers for cause of death. Two animals came from the province of Noord-Brabant and two came from the province of Gelderland. One of the beavers from Noord-Brabant was stuck in a fence (see picture). The fence had been there for 50 years already, and in the