Credit: MA
On Wednesday 12 November 2025, Luxembourg’s Minister for the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, Serge Wilmes, and Minister for Agriculture, Food and Viticulture, Martine Hansen, signed an agreement to modernise and expand the Wildlife Rescue Centre in Dudelange.
According to the ministries, the agreement covers a co-financing plan for the centre’s expansion and modernisation for the period 2025-2028, with a total budget of more than €8.3 million. The Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity will contribute over €5 million, while more than €3.3 million will come from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture.
The project aims to improve reception and care conditions, maximise recovery and release prospects for wild animals, and provide modern infrastructure that meets current animal-welfare standards and the specific needs of different species.
The Wildlife Rescue Centre, created in 1989 and managed by natur&ëmwelt ASBL until 2018, has since operated as a separate legal entity and has been recognised as being of public interest since January 2024. It is the only authorised facility in Luxembourg able to receive, treat and rehabilitate injured, seized or confiscated wild animals. The centre now handles nearly 3,800 animals per year, representing more than 190 native species as well as several exotic animals, and plays an essential role in protecting and preserving biodiversity in the Grand Duchy, the ministries noted.
“The rescue centre highlights the threats facing wild animals and thus contributes to the preservation of ecosystems. This financial commitment strengthens a major concrete project to better protect wildlife and support those who work daily in the field,” stated Minister Wilmes.
Minister Hansen noted: “I congratulate the Wildlife Rescue Centre team for its commitment, as the well-being and health of our wild animals are priorities close to my heart. The expansion of the infrastructure will not only allow the treatment of more animals in distress, but also optimise quarantine conditions, which is important to prevent the introduction of animal diseases and zoonoses into the centre.”
Roby Biwer, President of the ASBL, added: “The Wildlife Rescue Centre (Fleegestatioun Diddeleng) stands as a testament to exemplary and dedicated commitment to biodiversity protection, carried out every day by a highly motivated team supported by many volunteers, thanks also to the moral and especially financial support of the Ministries of the Environment, Agriculture and the City of Dudelange.”
The ministries emphasised that this flagship project illustrates the Luxembourg government’s strong commitment to the protection of wildlife, biodiversity and animal welfare.
In addition to structural investments, the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture also support the centre’s ongoing operations, notably by prioritising the funding of staff and operating costs linked to its missions in nature protection, conservation and animal health monitoring.
