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This is the first attempt to bring back the endangered owl in the Danube region.
This is the first such project in the region / photo: Rewilding UkraineВ Odessa region environmentalists are trying to return the owl listed in the Red Book of Ukraine, in the wild.
As reported the UNIAN in environmental organizations Rewilding Ukraine, last week began a refund program (reintroduction) to the Danube Delta ordinary owl, a huge owl.
“The chick that endangered species have settled in the protected zone of the Danube biosphere reserve to adjust to a new home. Later he was released into the wild. This is the first attempt to return the owl in the Danube region”, – noted in the organization.
This chick hatched at the Odessa zoo, where it was originally raised by the parent birds, and the baby almost did not see people. Then he was transferred to the zone of strict protection of the specified reserve in a large enclosure with a volume of 54 cubic meters Some time, the cub will live in a cage, to eat rats and other prey, stronger, etc.
It is assumed that after several weeks the adapted Chicks will be released with a special sensor that allow you to track the bird in a certain area.
According to ornithologist of the reserve Maxim Yakovlev, experts expect that if the owl survives, it will be the salvation for many species of birds living in the Danube region. He explained that over the last 10 years here the owl was seen only once, although a few decades ago individuals in the reserve saw regularly.
The result of the disappearance of this species on the coastal spits of the reserve have adapted to live colony of gray rats, which annually destroy a large number of the nests of many species of nesting birds.
“So, I hope that Filin, who is a rats favorite food, become the Savior… in addition, the Vylkove citizens and tourists will be happy to meet such a wonderful bird is a favorite hero of our childhood fairy tales with its huge yellow eyes, “ears” and a shrill eerie cry,” – said Yakovlev.
In the organization added that this is the first pilot project in the program of reintroduction of the eagle owl in the region, he implemented the organization Rewilding Ukraine together with partners in the framework of the project “Restoration of wetlands and steppes in the region of the Danube Delta”.
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If the first chick survives, for the next 4 years about 20 Chicks settled in the reserve for the creation of a stable owl population in the Danube region.
In the organization emphasize that this bird is rare in Ukraine, the only viable population is only in Polesie.
The Executive Director of the Rewilding Ukraine Mikhail Nesterenko said that to adapt the owl to the wild – offer of the Odessa zoo.
“When we were collecting ideas for ecosystem restoration in the Danube Delta, just like the offer of the zoo to return the owl to the Danube Delta, both iconic and important. Such attempts have been successful in different parts of Europe, and we hope that their experiences will help us restore this majestic predator and here,” – said Nesterenko.
Eagle owl (Bubo Bubo) is one of the largest owls, reaches 75 cm in height / photo: Rewilding Ukraine
Yesterday it turned out that the chick is a female, the organization has announced a competition for the best name of a bird.
Reference to UNIAN. Eagle owl (Bubo Bubo) is one of the largest owls, reaches 75 cm in height with a wingspan up to 180 cm, Is a sedentary species. Adults feed on site, 15-80 sq km, protecting it from the other members of the species. Diet – small mammals and birds, populations of which Filin adjust (sanitary function).