Rescue of a Pigeon Trapped in a Chimney in Brussels

Last weekend, the Animal Disaster Team (ADT) was mobilized for an urgent and very delicate mission in the heart of Brussels. We received an emergency call reporting a pigeon stuck inside a residential chimney — a critical situation putting the animal’s life at serious risk.

As soon as the alert came in, our trained team rushed to the scene. Thanks to a professional and efficient intervention, the pigeon was safely extracted from the chimney flue.

Unfortunately, this kind of situation is more common than one might think. Chimneys pose a deadly trap for birds, who can easily get stuck inside with no way to escape on their own.

Why not release the bird directly back into the wild?

Even though the pigeon was saved, an immediate release would have posed major health risks. Birds trapped in chimneys often suffer from:

• internal or external injuries,
• severe dehydration,
• plumage damaged by soot, compromising their thermoregulation and ability to fly.

Given these dangers, it was essential to ensure the pigeon received specialized care.

To guarantee the best possible recovery, our team decided to transfer the pigeon to CREAVES in Perwez, a well-known wildlife rehabilitation center. There, the bird will receive the necessary care in a calm and secure environment, allowing it to fully regain its strength before a gradual return to freedom.