As the August music festival looms, ecological concerns are brought to the fore.
A 3 day music festival is to take place at the castle from 2-4 August, with around 2,500 people expected to attend. Concerns have repeatedly been raised regarding the welfare of the environment surrounding the castle, which have been ignored by the site's proprietors, the Red Cross. The government, which once named the castle a site of cultural heritage, have also failed to address these concerns.
Biologist Roger Schauls said that although there were no official figures as to the number of wild animals living in the area surrounding the castle, it was clear there was a high population of deer owing to marks found on trees nearby. However, if there is a loud disturbance such as a music festival, it could lead to the animal population making themselves scarce.
Schauls said the area should be considered a wildlife corridor, although he acknowledged he did not have the necessary qualifications to decide what should happen to the building and walls of the castle itself. The biologist felt it should be down to the government to preserve the castle, and given the proximity to Ettelbruck, it could serve some kind of administrative function.
Anyone wishing to experience the unique wildlife around Birtrange Castle is encouraged to visit in September, to listen to the stags in rutting season. That is, if the deer still wish to call the area their home once the music festival has moved on.
RTL have reached out to the festival's organisers on two occasions for comments, however we are yet to receive a response.
