Following a seizure, several wolf cubs were temporarily housed at Forestia park. The Minister-President has approved their swift transfer to a specialised centre in France, which will spare them euthanasia. This was also an opportunity for him to highlight the dangers of illegal animal imports and to thank the Animal Welfare Unit's services.
In August of this year, 6 wolf cubs from animal trafficking were seized by the FASFC. As part of the rabies prevention plan, the animals were housed in a facility run by the Royal Society for the Protection of Animals.
To determine the animals' hybridisation percentage, genetic tests were carried out. They confirmed that these are wolf/dog hybrids with a hybridisation rate of 75% wolf, which prohibits their ownership by private individuals.
In September, the animals were temporarily placed at Forestia park in Theux, which has facilities suited to housing wolf cubs.
On 19 November, the park's managers informed the authorities that one of the cubs had been killed by its fellow wolves, and the park subsequently reported that it was unable to continue housing the other 5 cubs.
In order to put an end to a situation that could not guarantee the cubs' welfare in the long term, and to avoid the extreme solution of euthanasia provided for by law, the Minister-President wanted to act quickly.
On 2 December, he therefore approved the solution proposed by the AWU services, which involves relocating the animals within 3 weeks to “Le refuge des Loups de Coat-Fur” in Brittany. In the meantime, the cubs will need to be neutered and vaccinated against rabies.
As a reminder, hybrid wolves are often illegally imported or bred while being passed off as dogs, in order to escape restrictions on wolves. This trade contributes to destabilising conservation efforts for wild wolves. Raising awareness of the illegal trade in hybrid wolves, along with stronger controls and sanctions, is crucial to protect wild populations and limit impacts on ecosystems.
The dangers of illegal animal imports
On the occasion of this happy outcome, the Minister-President wishes to stress that it is essential to do everything possible to ensure such situations cannot happen again, and also to highlight the dangers of illegal animal imports.
To this end, the Animal Welfare Unit (AWU) services continue their efforts to raise public awareness of the illegal importation of animals into our territories, which involves genuine societal challenges:
- Protection of local wildlife and biodiversity: introducing exotic animals, or ones not suited to the local ecosystem, can disrupt the natural balance and lead to loss of biodiversity and lasting environmental impacts.
- Disease and health risk prevention: illegally imported animals may carry diseases that can be transmitted to other animals, including pets, and even to humans.
- Elimination of abuse and guarantee of animal welfare: illegally imported animals are often victims of inhumane transport conditions, mistreatment or neglect.
- Reduction of animal euthanasia cases: illegal animal imports increase the number of unwanted or abandoned animals. Shelters can become overwhelmed, and some animals must be euthanised due to lack of space or suitable accommodation.
- Prevention of accidents and conflicts with local species: animals such as hybrids can pose a danger to public safety.
Adrien Dolimont: “I am delighted that the solution found can resolve a situation that satisfied no one, the animals first of all. I would like to commend the work of the SPW's animal welfare unit. This episode also reminds us that it is up to us to remain vigilant and do everything possible to ensure such situations cannot happen again.”