Endangered birds in the Danube Delta at risk due to aggressive tourism. What measures will be taken
In the Danube Delta, aggressive tourism endangers the lives of many birds, already on the brink of extinction. That's why researchers from the Biosphere Reserve announce that smart beacons will be installed in areas where the birds nest.
Last year, a pelican colony in the Delta had about 80 birds, but this season, ornithologists have counted only around 40. The Saker falcon, the swan, the egret or the ferruginous duck have also halved their populations.
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The situation is alarming for families of cranes or Eurasian coots. This has happened because many tourism agencies unscrupulously promote trips to areas where the birds nest in the spring. Boats speed through canals, leading to the destruction of habitats.
Mihai Marinov, researcher at the Danube Delta Institute: "We're talking about egrets, herons and spoonbills; most populations of these species have been halved. We've even set up guards to protect these colonies during the nesting period, there are drastic declines in these populations".
Teodosie Marinov, the Governor of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority (ARBDD): "Pelicans are practically chased away by watercraft. All these strictly protected areas will be marked with real-time signaling tools. They will all direct the signal to the control panel for intervention".
Starting in February, all colonies will be marked with smart devices.
Silviu Anton, ARBDD Inspector: "The beacons indicate entry into the strictly protected area. Behind them are bird colonies, and access by individuals is strictly prohibited".
Fines for those who insist on entering restricted areas can reach up to 50,000 lei for legal entities and 10,000 lei for natural persons.
Out of the 331 bird species in the Delta, 172 nest there. Nine of these, including the red-breasted goose, are declared natural monuments.
