Animal rights activists release fallow and red deer to rewild Ukraine’s Danube Delta

Animal rights activists released 20 European fallow deer and 20 red deer on Bilhorodskyi Island in the Ukrainian Danube Delta in the Odesa region, Ukraine's south.

What is the problem?

The non-governmental organization for nature protection, Rewilding Europe, reports that flora and fauna are closely related. Thickets of vegetation are formed without animals, leading to fires in the summer when the air temperature is high and there is little precipitation.

What is the solution?

Bilhorodskyi is a large island with about 2,200 hectares in the heart of the Ukrainian Danube Delta. It is part of the Danube Biosphere Reserve, which actively supports the release of fallow deer and red deer.

The fallow deer and red deer released into the Danube Delta came from the west of Ukraine, having traveled a distance of about 1,000 km to settle in their new home.

The Rewilding Ukraine team and employees of the Danube Biosphere Reserve took part in the animal transfer operation. The event was held with the financial support of a grant from the European Wildlife Comeback Fund.

How does it work?

Deer and fallow deer in Bilhorodskyi will help create and maintain a semi-open mosaic landscape rich in biodiversity with meadows, water bodies, and various plants.

They will also eat excess vegetation, which can cause wildfires, an increasing problem due to climate change.

Right now is a favorable time for their transportation, outside the breeding season and the period when females give birth to young. After a long journey, all the animals feel well and are healthy. They immediately jumped off the barge and began to explore the island.

A grant from the European foundation helped to purchase and equip a self-propelled pontoon to transport animals to the island.