The Hageven nature reserve is facing a surge in illegal off-road vehicle activity, prompting calls for increased social control and vigilance. Natuurpunt Pelt, a local conservation institution, reports a concerning rise in “wildcrossers,” individuals who illegally traverse protected areas on motorcycles, causing significant damage to the environment and disrupting wildlife.

Eddy Conjaerts, chairman of Natuurpunt pelt, expressed his concern: We call for social control after we were recently confronted with the phenomenon in Hageven. He noted the escalating frequency of these incidents: In the past it rarely happened,but now three different wildcrossers have already been reported in three weeks.Who knows,there are many more.

Dutch Connection and Identification Challenges

one incident involved a motorcyclist with a Dutch license plate. One crosser clearly had a Dutch number plate on his motorcycle. The photos of this were transferred to the Dutch police,who will handle it further, Conjaerts stated. This cross-border element adds complexity to the enforcement efforts.

Identifying these individuals,however,is not always straightforward. Many wildcrossers take precautions to avoid detection. Yet it is not always easy to identify wildcrossers. Often they do not have a license plate and wear an integral helmet, Conjaerts explained. To combat this, Natuurpunt Pelt is encouraging the public to submit any visual evidence they may capture.

The organization hopes that increased public awareness and shared visual material will aid in identifying offenders.On the basis of visual material that we can spread, there is a greater chance that the people will be recognized so that the police can verbalize them, Conjaerts added.

Ecological Damage and Safety Concerns

The impact of wildcrossers extends beyond mere property damage. Their activities inflict considerable harm on the reserve’s delicate ecosystems.

They break the soil and the plants, but they mainly disturb the vulnerable biotopes of rare bird species such as the Roerdomp or the Woudaap, and that is plenty of breeding season. Fault -sensitive birds are no longer coming back. Also for hikers the presence of those crossers is not pleasant and downright unsafe.

Eddy Conjaerts, chairman of Natuurpunt Pelt

The disturbance of breeding seasons for rare bird species like the Roerdomp (bittern) and Woudaap (little bittern) is particularly concerning. These birds are highly sensitive to disruptions, and the presence of off-road vehicles can cause them to abandon their nests.

Moreover, the presence of wildcrossers poses a safety risk to hikers and other visitors who use the reserve for recreational purposes.

Legal Consequences and Public Assistance

The consequences for engaging in illegal off-roading can be severe. Fines can reach ample amounts,and authorities may also seize the vehicles involved.

The fines can amount to many thousands of euros. That became clear after recent judgments of the court. The forfeiture of the engines is also part of the possible sanctions, Conjaerts emphasized.

Natuurpunt Pelt urges anyone who witnesses illegal off-roading in the Hageven nature reserve to report it and provide any available visual evidence. Visual material can be sent to info@natuurpuntpelt.be.