The quiet streets of Dinant, Belgium, have recently been the stage for a bizarre intersection of wildlife aggression, vigilante “rescue” missions and potential criminal charges. At the center of the storm is the Buse de Dinant, a common buzzard whose habit of diving at pedestrians turned it into a local notoriety and, eventually, a target for both municipal authorities and a TikTok personality.
What began as a public safety concern regarding an aggressive raptor has evolved into a legal drama involving allegations of animal kidnapping and illegal intrusions. The situation reached a boiling point in early April 2026, when a social media figure claimed to have captured the bird to save it from a fate he deemed unacceptable, sparking a confrontation between citizen activism and environmental law.
The saga has highlighted the tension between official wildlife management protocols and the influence of social media, where the narrative of a “persecuted” animal can drive individuals to take the law into their own hands. As the bird remains missing from its home territory, the focus has shifted from the safety of the town’s residents to the legal jeopardy of the man who claims to have “saved” it.
A Cycle of Capture and Illegal Release
The buzzard’s reputation for attacking passants in Dinant led to an initial intervention by the Department of Nature and Forests (DNF). The raptor was successfully captured in late March to address the injuries it was causing to the local population. However, the bird’s captivity was short-lived.
On the night of March 28 to 29, 2026, an illegal intrusion occurred at the Creaves care center in Namur, resulting in the buzzard’s premature release according to reports from DHNet. This unauthorized act returned the aggressive bird to the wild, where it immediately resumed its pattern of diving on residents and visitors of the Mosane city, causing several injuries.
In response to the recurring attacks, the municipal services of the City of Dinant secured a legal derogation to capture the bird again. Officials emphasized that the goal was not to kill the animal, but to remove the threat to public safety. Despite these official efforts, the search for the bird became a public spectacle, attracting the attention of private citizens who viewed the bird as a victim rather than a nuisance.
The Intervention of ‘Santos’
Among the most vocal critics of the official capture efforts was Kévin Branne, a TikToker known to his followers as “Santos.” Branne positioned himself as the bird’s protector, publicly stating his desire to save the buzzard from what he claimed was a destined “euthanasia.”
Branne claimed to have spent more than six days searching for the bird accompanied by a friend named Alex. During this period, he expressed skepticism regarding the DNF’s efforts, alleging that he saw no cages in the areas where the bird was most frequently spotted. More controversially, Branne suggested that the presence of dead mice and chicks in those areas indicated the potential use of poison, though these claims remained unverified by official wildlife authorities as detailed by DHNet.
The narrative shifted from search to capture on April 9, 2026. Branne posted on Facebook, asserting that the buzzard had been caught and was now “very far” from Dinant. He claimed the bird was in excellent health and continuing to “sing,” though he intentionally blurred the images in his posts to prevent the location from being identified according to Sudinfo.
Legal Fallout and the ‘Kidnapping’ Allegation
While Branne initially presented the capture as a rescue mission, legal authorities view the event through a different lens. The removal of a protected species from its habitat and the subsequent refusal to disclose its location has led to accusations of “kidnapping” the raptor.
By April 10, 2026, reports emerged that Branne’s actions could lead to severe legal consequences, including the possibility of prison time as reported by Le Soir. The case is being treated as an infraction of the Environmental Code, which strictly regulates the handling, capture, and transport of protected wildlife.
The controversy is further complicated by Branne’s social media behavior. After announcing the capture of the bird, he quickly deleted some of his publications, leading investigators to believe he may have been weighing whether to release the bird or keep it hidden. This unpredictability has frustrated both the municipal services of Dinant and environmental regulators, who argue that “doing justice” personally is an unacceptable breach of law.
Timeline of the Buse de Dinant Saga
| Date | Event | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Late March | Initial capture by DNF | Bird removed from public areas. |
| March 28-29 | Illegal intrusion at Creaves center | Bird released unauthorized; returns to attacking passants. |
| Early April | Vigilante search by ‘Santos’ | Kévin Branne claims efforts to save bird from euthanasia. |
| April 9 | Claim of capture | Santos announces bird is “very far” and safe; blurs location. |
| April 10 | Legal escalation | Reports emerge of potential prison time for Environmental Code infractions. |
The Impact of Social Media on Wildlife Management
The case of the Buse de Dinant serves as a cautionary tale regarding the “gamification” of wildlife rescue. By framing a public safety issue as a battle between a “villainous” government and a “heroic” rescuer, social media personalities can incite followers to interfere with professional ecological management.
Wildlife experts note that raptors, particularly the common buzzard, can develop behavioral issues when they become habituated to humans or associated food sources, which may explain the aggressive diving behavior seen in Dinant. When individuals like Branne intervene without professional training, they risk not only their own legal standing but also the health and stability of the animal.
For the residents of Dinant, the resolution is bittersweet. While the immediate threat of attacks has vanished due to the bird’s disappearance, the manner of its removal—via an alleged kidnapping—leaves a precedent of lawlessness that authorities are keen to penalize.
The next critical checkpoint in this case will be the formal progression of the legal proceedings against Kévin Branne regarding the Environmental Code violations. It remains to be seen if the location of the buzzard will be disclosed or if the bird has been released in a distant region.
Do you believe citizen intervention is justified when official wildlife management is perceived as too harsh, or should the law always prevail in environmental matters? Share your thoughts in the comments below.