Frequently asked questions

All wildlife that has been found dead (with the exception of sea mammals, see below), can be reported to the DWHC. We are particularly interested in:

• Extraordinary death(s) of commonly occurring species.
• Rare species.
• The ‘focus species’ of the year; In 2023 and 2024 this is the beaver.
• Exception: bird deaths that are not suspected of being related to botulism or criminal activity

• When botulism is suspected in bird deaths the local authority or local water authority should be informed
• If you believe that the death was the result of criminal activity, contact the police.
• Click here to report finding a dead sea mammal e.g. dolphin, whale, porpoise (site in Dutch).

You can report your finding via the submission form on our website. You will receive a copy of your completed form by email as confirmation that your report has been sent.

After submitting your form you will be contacted by the DWHC who will advise you on how to package the cadaver and arrange collection of the package from your home or place of work.

For post-mortem investigation it is essential that the cadavers are in a fresh state i.e. not dead for more than one day; cadavers should not be frozen. It is therefore preferable to report your finding as soon as possible and to keep the cadaver in a cool (not frozen) place until it can be collected.

The DWHC assesses all reports and will contact you to determine whether or not the cadaver that you found is suitable for further investigation. This will depend on:

• how fresh the cadaver is i.e. how long (approximately) the animal has been dead,
• if it is an unusual case (e.g. many animals),
• if it is a rare species,
• if it is a cadaver of a focus species,
• the number of previously investigated animals of that species,
• the number of cadavers submitted already on that day,
• the day of the week (very few cases can be collected over the weekend Fri-Sun),
• the location for collection of the packaged cadaver.

The rate of decomposition of a cadaver depends on a range of factors including the temperature and the species. In general, investigation of cause of death and reliable assessment of health status is only possible on cadavers that have not been dead for more than one day (24 hours).

In exceptional cases, for example outbreaks in rare species, we may accept cadavers for post-mortem investigation that have been dead longer than one day, but preferably less than one week.

In commonly occurring wildlife species extraordinary death can be:

• findings of multiple cadavers in the same location
• more than usual deaths for a particular time of year
• the animal was seen showing unusual behaviour before it died
• an animal appeared ill before it died

To perform post-mortem investigation it is crucial that an animal is kept under cool temperatures, but not frozen.

Although the animal is wrapped in two layers of plastic and thus the outside in principle should be clean, it is not advisable to put an animal in the same refrigerator as food.

Animals have insulating fur or feathers, which means that the organs inside do not cool down quickly and the decomposition process (autolysis)** starts quickly.

Please do not pick up a dead animal with bare hands, but use disposable gloves or a plastic bag.

Is it freezing?

Then put the animal wrapped in newspaper in an unheated shed so that the temperature is less than 4 °C, but not freezing.

Is it between 0 and 4 °C outside?

Then the cadaver can be kept outside as long as they are put in the shade.

Is it warmer than 4 °C outside?

Then the animal must be kept as cool as possible (but not in the freezer).

• Has the animal just died and are they still warm?

Cool the animal thoroughly with cold water before double* wrapping them. If an animal is placed in a plastic bag still warm, it can start to swelter and will not cool down quickly enough.

• Is the animal already cold?

Double wrap* the animal and place them as cool as possible, but not in the freezer. A cellar or floor in the shed often feels cold, but is usually too warm.

A number of options for keeping the double-wrapped animal cool until they can be picked up are:

Roll a newspaper around the wrapped animal and place them together with one or more cooling elements in a box with several newspapers (wads). Clean the cooling elements thoroughly before reusing them.

Place the packed animal in a refrigerator where no food is stored.

Place the packed animal in a bucket/tray/wheelbarrow with cold water with ice cubes or cooling elements. Make sure it is in the shade. If the weather is warm, it is advisable to replace the elements or add new ice cubes every few hours. Before transporting, put a dry plastic bag around it and attach the animal’s details to the dry bag. Clean the cooling elements thoroughly before reusing them.

* Double wrapping:

Double wrapping (in two plastic bags, with the outer plastic bag remaining ‘clean’) is important to prevent contamination of the environment during cooling and transport.

Attach the animal’s details (animal species, your name and place of residence) to the (outer) plastic bag. It is best to attach a printed copy of the completed form.

You can read how to pack the carcass in the manual for packing a carcass or watch the video on double packaging small carcasses.

**Autolysis

The internal decomposition process begins shortly after an animal has died. Depending on the size of the animal, its insulating fur and/or layer of fat and the circumstances (lying in the sun, and/or at warm temperatures) the organs can be unsuitable for proper post-mortem investigation within a few hours. An animal can still look perfect on the outside, while the organs are already largely decayed.

The DWHC works together with a courier service; after we have contacted you to determine whether or not the cadaver is suitable for further investigation we will arrange a suitable time and place for collection of the (double) packaged cadaver. The DWHC does not collect cadavers from the field.

A carcass that is to be collected for post-mortem investigation must be double-wrapped.

Attach a printed copy of the completed form or a note with the animal species, your name, address, contact details, and telephone number to the (outer) plastic bag.

You can read the best way to package the carcass in the manual for packaging a carcass.

In some cases, specific instructions will be given and/or packaging materials will be provided.

You will not be charged anything for reporting or submitting a cadaver. The costs of the courier and post-mortem investigation are covered by the DWHC. During large-scale outbreaks or when forensic investigation is required other rules may apply.

You can report cadavers via the submission form on the website.

If you have questions mail us at dwhc@uu.nl.

You can reach us by telephone Monday to Friday between 09.00 and 13.00 on 030 253 79 25. At other times your call will be transferred to a voicemail service which will ask you to leave your message and contact details so that we can call you back.

Most wildlife species are protected in the Netherlands, even if they are dead. This means that the possession, transport or offering for transport of these protected native species is considered illegal. The DWHC has an exemption in order to be able to accept wildlife cadavers for research purposes; we can send a temporary permit to you via text message so that you can handle and / or transport the wildlife cadaver in preparation for further investigation by the DWHC.

This depends on where the dead wild animal is found:

• Garden, balcony, private property -> You must clean it up yourself. See Cleaning up a dead bird Some municipalities have a separate container for carcasses at the municipal recycling center (‘milieustraat’). Contact the municipality.
• Local road or water -> Municipality. In some municipalities, the collection of dead wild animals is arranged via the animal ambulances. Contact the municipality.
• Provincial road -> Province
• Provincial water -> Water board (click here to find the water board https://www.waterschappen.nl/mijn-waterschap/)
• National waters or highways/roads -> In case of a dangerous situation (large animal on highway): call 112; Non-urgent situations can be reported to Rijkswaterstaat via 0800 8002. See also https://www.rijkswaterstaat.nl/over-ons/contact/voorwerp-dier-schade-melden
• Along the track -> ProRail (0800 77 67 245)
• Nature reserve -> the manager of the area.

See also the NVWA Manual for clearing up dead wild (water) birds and the Guideline for dealing with wild birds with bird flu (both in Dutch)

If you put food out for birds in your garden then follow this advice to minimize the risk of creating a source of disease infection.

• Clean feeders and bird tables daily and disinfect them regularly with a product such as dilute household bleach (5% Sodium hypochlorite); rinse them thoroughly and allow to dry before putting out new food.
• Reposition feeders regularly to avoid dropped food and feces accumulating in one spot.
• Rinse out bird baths daily and allow to dry before re-filling.
• During an outbreak feeding should be reduced stopped during 2-4 weeks.

Personal protective equipment
Disposable gloves should be worn when handling dead birds and when cleaning; wash your hands thoroughly afterwards, especially before eating or drinking.

• Disposable gloves should always be worn when handling wildlife cadavers (and disposed of appropriately after use).
• Wounds should be thoroughly cleaned as disinfected; existing wounds should be appropriately covered.
• Consumption of dead wildlife by pets or humans is not advised.

If you suspect a case of a notifiable disease such as classic swine fever or foot and mouth diseae you should contact the NVWA (Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority) by calling 045 546 31 88. You will not be charged for reporting a suspect case. Cadavers should not be moved.

Translocation of wild animals includes the (re-) introduction or supplementing of wild animal populations. A permit is required for the translocation of live wild animals. This is detailed in Dutch policy (Kamerstuk 31200 XIV, nr. 215) and is included in National guidelines. The Netherlands is a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and therefore adheres to IUCN guidelines, including those referring to translocation / (re-) introduction of wild animals.

• Disposable gloves should always be worn when handling wildlife cadavers (and disposed of appropriately after use).
• Wounds should be thoroughly cleaned as disinfected; existing wounds should be appropriately covered.
• Was your hands thoroughly after handling wildlife and again before eating or drinking

Extra  measures:

• Evisceration of does: Due to the risk of infection with the Q-fever pathogen:
  • Wear rubber boots and thoroughly disinfect them on completion.
  • Wear a face mask with an FFP2 filter; standard face masks do not protect against the Q-fever bacteria.
  • Wear single-use overalls and dispose of these appropriately after use.
• Evisceration of hares (and rinsing with water):
  • If you rinse out your hare carcase with water after evisceration (this method is used in Germany) wear a face mask with an FFP2 filter.

It is not permitted to take a shot wild boar or parts thereof out of an area affected by Swine Fever; this applies to areas with both Classical Swine Fever or African Swine Fever.

The teeth may be taken, provided they have been removed from the skull, cleaned, and disinfected.

Always consult the local authorities and/or hunters’ association for the latest inspection requirements and other applicable rules and regulations.

When hunters go hunting in an area infected with swine fever, it is important to take the following precautions:

• After hunting, wash your hands with water and soap
• Thoroughly clean boots and any equipment that has come into contact with a wild boar (e.g., game box). Proper cleaning is achieved by first removing the worst dirt with a brush. Then clean all surfaces with water and soap and let them air dry.
• Clean the vehicle on site or at a nearby car wash (including the wheel arches). Also clean any dirty surfaces inside the vehicle (e.g., floor mat). Seats can be covered with plastic in advance.
• Wash clothing at 40°C or 60°C with a main detergent (white).
• Do not take hunting dogs to infected areas abroad.
• For at least 72 hours after contact with a wild boar or hunting in an infected area, do not visit pig farms. Hunters with a professional connection to domestic pigs are strongly advised not to hunt in infected areas at all.
• It is not permitted to take a shot wild boar or parts thereof out of an area where Swine Fever is present; this applies to areas with both Classical Swine Fever and African Swine Fever. The teeth may be taken, provided they are removed from the skull and cleaned and disinfected.
• Consult the local authorities and/or hunting association for the latest inspection and other applicable rules and regulations.