Danube Delta
Restoring wetlands and steppe ecosystems across Europe’s largest river delta landscape.
Where the Danube River meets the Black Sea, it forms Europe’s largest natural river delta. Rivers, lakes, reedbeds and marshes create one of the continent’s most important wetland ecosystems, supporting vast colonies of waterbirds and more fish species than any other place in Europe.
During the twentieth century, dams, drainage schemes and agricultural development altered natural water flows and fragmented surrounding steppe habitats. These changes degraded wetlands, reduced fish populations and weakened ecological processes that once shaped the landscape.
Working across Ukraine, Romania and Moldova, the project is restoring natural dynamics across the delta and nearby steppes. Led by Rewilding Europe and regional partners, it is reconnecting wetlands, rebuilding natural grazing and supporting wildlife recovery across one of Europe’s most important biodiversity landscapes.
Danube Delta, Ukraine, Romania and Moldova
Rewilding Europe
Ukraine, Romania and Moldova
2019-2026
US$2,419,942
580,000 ha
River delta, marshes, reed beds, coastal lagoons, grasslands, steppe and riverine forest
Dalmatian pelican, Eurasian eagle owl, red deer, fallow deer, wild horse, water buffalo, kulan and steppe marmot
Water purification, fisheries productivity, flood regulation, carbon storage and nature-based tourism
Why this place matters
The delta holds more than half of Europe’s populations of great white pelican and Dalmatian pelican.
The Danube Delta is one of the most biodiverse wetlands in Europe. Its complex network of rivers, lagoons, reedbeds and floodplains supports large breeding colonies of waterbirds and provides a crucial stopover for migrating species along the Black Sea flyway.
The delta holds most of the global population of pygmy cormorant and more than half of Europe’s populations of great white pelican and Dalmatian pelican. Its waters support over 60 fish species, including four species of sturgeon.
Just north-east of the delta lies the Tarutino Steppe, one of the largest remaining areas of Pontic steppe in the region. Historically, large herds of grazing animals moved between these steppe landscapes and the delta wetlands, shaping vegetation and sustaining diverse ecosystems.
Restoring connections between these habitats is key to rebuilding ecological resilience across the wider landscape.
Action on the ground
Over six years, the project worked across the Danube Delta and surrounding steppe landscapes to restore natural processes and support wildlife recovery.
ha of steppe habitat restored.
European hamsters translocated.
people trained to support nature recovery.
river network restored.
wetlands restored.
kulan reintroduced to the Tarutino Steppe.
Eurasian eagle owls released.
Restoring natural water flows
For decades, dams, dykes and other infrastructure disrupted the natural flow of water across the Danube Delta. Rivers were straightened, wetlands were cut off from seasonal flooding, and fish lost access to spawning grounds.
Ten obsolete dams and obstacles were removed from the Kogilnik, Kagach and Sarata rivers, allowing water to move more freely again through the landscape. This has helped restore natural floodplain processes and reopen spawning areas for fish.
On Ermakiv Island, sections of dykes were removed to reconnect the island to the river’s natural flood cycles. Elsewhere, improving the connection between the Danube River and surrounding lakes has helped restore water exchange, improve water quality and support the return of native fish species.
“When the river was cut off, natural flooding stopped. Wetlands and meadows were degraded. Fish stocks dropped. Wildlife declined. Without natural grazing, invasive shrubs took over, fuelling more frequent and intense wildfires. But rewilding can help us to bounce back to a healthy and prosperous Danube Delta.”
O. Voloshkevich, Director, Danube Biosphere Reserve, Ukraine
“After everything we went through during the war, places like this are more than just a way to relax. We were able to pause, breathe deeply, and simply be together in peace and quiet. It was a chance to release some of the tension that has stayed with me since I was in combat.”
Oleksandr, Ukrainian war veteran
Rebuilding wildlife populations
Historically, large herds of grazing animals moved between the surrounding steppes and the wetlands of the Danube Delta. Their grazing shaped vegetation, created open habitats and supported a wide range of wildlife. Over time these animals disappeared as agriculture expanded and habitats became fragmented.
The project has started to bring these natural processes back. Large herbivores including Konik horses, red deer, fallow deer, water buffalo, Hucul horses and kulan have been released across parts of the landscape. Their grazing helps maintain diverse habitats by keeping vegetation open and preventing the spread of dense scrub.
Wildlife recovery has also included the reintroduction of Eurasian eagle owls, restoring an important predator to the ecosystem.
Konik horses released across the Danube help to maintain diverse habitats.
Nature for veterans
Restoration in the Danube Delta is not only helping nature recover. It is also creating space for people to heal.
In 2025, Rewilding Ukraine in partnership with National Council of Healthcare and Safety launched the “Nature for Veterans” initiative, bringing Ukrainian war veterans and their families to visit restored parts of the delta. The idea is simple: time spent in nature can help people recover from the psychological impacts of conflict.
During the first visit, veterans travelled by boat through the delta’s wetlands and visited Ermakiv Island, where natural grazing has been restored through the release of water buffalo, Konik horses, red deer and fallow deer. For many, it was the first opportunity in years to spend time in peaceful natural surroundings.
By combining ecological restoration with support for people affected by the war, the programme shows how recovering landscapes can contribute to both environmental and social resilience.
What’s next
The project has laid important foundations for restoring the Danube Delta and surrounding steppe landscapes. Partners will continue expanding restoration while strengthening ecological connectivity, wildlife recovery and sustainable livelihoods across the wider region.
countries collaborating to restore wetlands and steppe ecosystems across Ukraine, Romania and Moldova.
year ‘Nature for Veterans’ programme supporting rehabilitation visits to the delta landscape.
ha demonstration site testing restoration finance and nature-based business models in Romania.
core restoration areas envisioned to be connected through ecological corridors across the delta and steppe.
landscape guiding long-term restoration across the Danube Delta region
Restoration Works
Restoration Works showcases the accomplishments of projects supported by the ELSP which have completed their funding period.
Visit the Danube Delta website
Reconnecting young people with the wild in the Danube Delta
Nature helps war veterans heal in the Ukrainian Danube Delta
Return of a predator: Five more eagle owls released in the Danube Delta
Wild neighbours: How communities are adapting to nature’s return in Ukraine’s Danube Delta
Wildlife Comeback: Highlights of 2024’s Species Releases
