Danube Biosphere Reserve in Ukraine

The Danube Biosphere Reserve is a protected area in Odesa Oblast that covers wetlands, floodplains, and waterways of the Danube Delta. The reserve extends across freshwater and saltwater zones and serves as a breeding ground for hundreds of bird and fish species.

A small protected territory was established in 1981 and officially became a biosphere reserve in 1998. The expansion aimed to preserve the diverse ecosystems of the Ukrainian part of the Danube Delta.

Local communities maintain traditional fishing methods and agricultural practices that reflect generations of life along the Danube Delta waterways.

Visitor tours typically start in Odesa and require a valid passport since the Romanian border is nearby. Some areas of the reserve are accessible only with official permission, so it helps to check ahead.

Researchers have discovered seven insect species that were never documented anywhere before. These finds underline how many life forms remain hidden in remote parts of the delta.

Location: Vylkove Urban Hromada

Inception: 1998

GPS coordinates: 45.33333,29.68333

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:29