What has happened?

Since 1 January 2024, Tervuren has culled 67 wild boar after a sharp rise in reports of property damage and close encounters. Authorised wildlife agents, known in Dutch as Gemachtigd Faunabeheerders, carried out 47 of the culls up to June 2025; hunters accounted for the remaining 20.

Where and how often?

Most sightings have occurred near the Sonian Forest. Tervuren’s total exceeds nearby Kraainem (13) but remains well below neighbouring Overijse (163) and Huldenberg (213). Officials say incidents — uprooted allotments, damaged fences and foraging in residential areas — have increased across Flanders.

What methods are being used?

Drawing on a pilot scheme from Genk, authorities combine habitat monitoring, community reporting and targeted interventions, including shooting and trapping. Residents are asked to report sightings and damage through wildinzicht.be, which helps wildlife managers locate problem areas.

Regional response and concerns

Tervuren has formed a regional partnership, Everteam, with Huldenberg and Kraainem to coordinate responses. The team uses non-lethal measures such as trapping and relocation where possible, alongside lethal control. Officials stress wild boar are generally not aggressive but urge pet owners to keep animals on leads and avoid direct contact, particularly during the breeding season.

Opposition and alternatives

Animal welfare groups and some residents oppose culling, warning it may disrupt ecosystems and does not address root causes such as habitat loss and easy access to human food. Suggested alternatives include improved fencing, stricter waste management and public awareness campaigns. Last July, unidentified individuals vandalised Everteam equipment — cameras, traps and an antenna — expressing opposition to the programme.

Why this matters

The wild boar is among Europe’s largest land mammals and can weigh up to 300kg. Absent from the Sonian Forest for almost a century, the species reappeared around 2006, probably moving from dense Walloon populations. Females typically rear four to seven piglets each year, complicating population control.