Red deer, wild boar, roe deer, badger, and wolf have been seen in the nature reserves of Arnhem. Beavers were also spotted near the city center. This is based on biodiversity monitoring by Arnhem Living Labs conducted between 2021 and 2025. Many animals were observed not only in nature areas but throughout the city.
Eva van Esch: “Over the past four years, we have significantly increased greenery. From a net 80,000 extra trees in forests and parks to greening our neighborhoods. This creates more space for animals and plants. It is wonderful that in this city you can stand in a park, forest, or other nature area within such a short time. But not only in nature areas, but also in the middle of the city, a surprisingly large variety of animals have been found. From my office, I often see the fastest animal in the world: the peregrine falcon. Hedgehogs, common pipistrelle bats, and swift birds were also spotted in the study. These species depend on buildings, parks, and greenery in neighborhoods. They are well found in Arnhem.”
In Arnhem South, beavers and partridges were seen. Many special insects, including rare bees, were also found in various areas. This shows that parks, ecological zones, and other green spaces in and around the city are important for biodiversity.
The monitoring is part of the Green Vision 2017 and the Biodiversity Agenda Arnhem 2021-2025. This first measurement is a baseline. The municipality will repeat the research every five years to see how nature develops.