News

Museum

Heritage Days 2025

21/09/2025

On Sunday 21st of September, from 10.00 to 15.00, enjoy guided tours backstage at the emblematic building of the Institute of Natural Sciences!


Science

Surprise visitor on Ostend beach: a young hooded seal

05/09/2025

A young hooded seal photographed on the beach in Ostend on August 21st was the fifth documented case of this northern seal in Belgium. However, the animal was not identified until the next day. By then, it had already returned to the sea, never to be seen again. Or was it?


Science

Geologists assess natural disaster risks for European cities

22/08/2025

A team of geologists has assessed the natural disaster risks for 41 European cities based on geological and climatic factors. Naples ranks highest, with Antwerp and Namur also making the top ten.


Science

Newly described Shri rapax hunted with stronger hands than cousin Velociraptor

11/08/2025

Step aside, Velociraptor — here comes Shri rapax! This newly described predatory dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia had powerful hands and an exceptionally long claw, allowing it to tackle larger prey than other raptors living in the same desert.


Science

Washed ashore. Marine mammals in Belgium in 2024

30/06/2025

The new report ‘Washed ashore. Marine mammals in Belgium in 2024’ summarises the results of the research into stranded marine mammals in Belgium in 2024.


Science

Second-hand shop receives fossil and donates it to our institute

24/06/2025

The second-hand shop Kringwinkel Stroom recently received something unusual: a fossil. It turns out to be part of a mammoth pelvis. The non-profit organization is now donating the fossil to our collections.


Science

New inventory confirms great beetle richness in Belgium

19/06/2025

Belgium is home to no fewer than 4,672 beetle species. That’s the conclusion of a new checklist. “There are newcomers, such as many species of sap beetles, but also species that have become locally extinct—mainly whirligig beetles and dung beetles,” says entomologist Wouter Dekoninck.


Science

Famous Ice Age ‘puppies’ likely wolf pups and not dogs

18/06/2025

Two remarkably well-preserved Ice Age pups found in Siberia have been identified as wolf pups rather than early domesticated dogs, thanks to an international study involving Belgian researchers from the Institute of Natural Sciences.

Science

Small eaters, big impact: suspension feeders reshape the food web in offshore wind farms

11/06/2025

The fauna that colonizes offshore wind turbines influences the marine food web. In particular, the increase in suspension feeders helps to transfer carbon more quickly and directly into the food web.


Museum

Citizen Science Fair - a celebration of Citizen Science!

04/06/2025

On 18 June 2025, we invite you to explore inspiring projects and meet the people behind the science. This free outdoor event celebrates how everyday actions can lead to extraordinary discoveries.