Threats to Wildlife of Danube Delta
Rare Birds and Fish - Pelicans, Herons and Sturgeon in Danger
Sep 8, 2008
The Danube Delta, in eastern Romania, is an increasingly popular destination for birdwatchers. It is a peaceful natural habitat for thousands of rare birds and animals.
Unesco World Heritage Site
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and named "Landscape of the Year 2007-9" by International Friends of Nature, the region is also a designated Ramsar zone. This is the inter-governmental agreement signed in 1971 at Ramsar, Iran, that established guidelines for conservation and protection of wetlands and their natural resources.
The Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority
The Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority is responsible for protecting this vast outstanding natural environment. The delta is either home to, or visited by, thousands of migrating birds throughout the year which makes it a favourite destination for birdwatching holidays. Pelicans, both Dalmatian and white, great egret and little egret, pigmy cormorant, red-necked goose and night heron are just a few of the species, many of which are endangered, that can be seen on the delta.
Wildlife of the Danube Delta
The wildlife of the Danube Delta includes wild animals and fish such as otter, European mink, muskrat, wild boar, wild cat, raccoon dog, fox and stoat. The delta also shelters European tree frogs, European pond terrapin, meadow viper, dice snake, edible frog, grasshopper, seven-spot ladybird, earwigs, banded demoiselle, and of course, pike, carp, sterlet, catfish, bream and sturgeon, famous for its black caviar.
Threats to the Danube Delta
Sadly, all this amazing wildlife, and the delta itself, are under threat not only from the activities of local people and tourists but also from the activities of more than 80 million people living in the 18 countries from whence the Danube gathers water.
Some of the problems are:
- Excessive exploitation of the area, for example, by over fishing and over hunting.
- Damage to the environment is also caused by the rubbish left behind by visitors, who may be local people or tourists.
- Pollution by agricultural fertilisers and inadequately treated sewage threatens the water supply and irrigation.
- Contamination by heavy metals, oil and other toxins such as phosphorous and nitrogen excreted by industrial plants. The main polluters are Romania's food, chemical, paper and pulp factories.
- And last, but not least, floods across Europe during recent years have also taken their toll in damaging the landscape and depleting natural resources which, in turn, means changes in the biodiversity of the delta.
Solutions
There is no quick fix for these problems. Modernising out-of-date industrial plants and ensuring that toxic materials are properly dealt with would be a start. In addition, wastewater collection and treatment facilities must also be modernised and the discharge of untreated wastewater into the Danube and its tributaries must end. It's not just Romanian industry that's involved here: it will need co-operation from several other countries, including Slovakia, Hungary, the Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"Landscape of the Year 2007-2009"
The initial priority is to raise awareness of the Danube Delta and to increase the number of visitors through sustainable tourism. It is hoped that the designation "Landscape of the Year 2007-2009" will help to achieve this goal. As tourism grows it is important that the delta and its people are involved so that both will benefit in the long term.
All visitors to the delta must obtain a permit. A number of good tour operators, who will make the necessary arrangements for birdwatching holidays, are recommended by Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority.
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