11th BWDS Symposium – ‘One world, one wildlife health’ – Registration now open
The Belgian Wildlife Disease Society (BWDS) is organising its 11th symposium on 16 October 2026 at the AfricaMuseum in Tervuren.
Under the theme ‘One World, One Wildlife Health’, the BWDS is bringing together researchers, policymakers, stakeholders and interested members of the public for a fascinating day focusing on wildlife diseases. The programme includes lectures and poster presentations on wildlife trade, emerging and vector-borne diseases, and conservation projects.
Register now at the early-bird rate for an inspiring day full of knowledge-sharing and networking opportunities.
The symposium will be held in English:
Preliminary programme · subject to change
Moderators: Tim Adriaens (INBO) & Sophie Gryseels (UAntwerp)
09:00 Registration & coffee
09:30 Welcome (T. Huyse, AfricaMuseum & S. Roels, BWDS)
Session 1 Wildlife trade
- 09:40 Cultural background of bushmeat: the anthropological approach (T. Trefon · AfricaMuseum, BE)
- 10:15 CITES: wildlife trade from Africa and its impact (A. Laudisoit · UAntwerp, BE)
10:40 Free communication (pitch)
11:00 Coffee break & posters
Session 2 Old & new viruses marching in
- 11:20 Flaviviruses circulating in The Netherlands (J. van den Brand · Utrecht University, NL)
- 11:45 Ebola, a re-emerging epidemic (C. Mande · UAntwerp, BE)
- 12:10 Drivers of paramyxovirus diversity in African small mammals (UAntwerp, BE)
12:35 Lunch & posters
Session 3 Living with vectors
- 13:35 Sustainable control of vectors: the SIT technique (A. Ignjatović Ćupina · NSU, RS)
- 14:00 Vector control in Belgium: current status en emerging solutions (W. Van Bortel (ITM, BE) & V. Versteirt (ANB, BE)
14:25 Free communication (pitch)
14:50 Coffee break & posters
Session 4 Conservation projects
- 15:20 Captive breeding projects at Antwerp Zoo / Planckendael (F. Verstappen & S. Lafaut · Antwerp Zoo, BE)
- 15:45 Reintroduction of the green tree frog in Wallonia (A. Robise · Natagora, BE)
- 16:00 Reintroduction of the garden dormouse (D. De Keukeleire · INBO, BE)
16:15 Free communication (pitch)
16:30 Final remarks, poster prize & reception
We invite you to submit poster/pitch communicationson the subject “wildlife diseases” in its broadest sense (deadline 15/9)
Registration (including lunch): Early bird €40 (31/7), regular €60 & students €30 (30/9)
Registration fees are non-refundable.
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Image above: tree frog (photo Karl Gillebert)