Black Sea wetlands Odesa region (Ukraine)

FLAMINGOS ONCE AGAIN FAILED TO BREED CHICKS IN UKRAINE

Flamingos have become a true symbol of the revival of wild nature in Ukraine. Their arrival and nesting attempts in the Tuzly Lagoons National Nature Park have sparked admiration and hope among thousands of people. But war has once again interfered with nature’s miracle, preventing these birds from bringing new life into the world.

The First Breakthrough: Historic Nesting in 2023​

In 2023, something happened that had never been seen in Ukraine before: pink flamingos nested for the first time in the Tuzly Lagoons. Their elegant silhouettes against the steppe skies became a true wonder, as the birds successfully raised about 200 chicks. This achievement entered the history of our nature.

War Destroyed the Hopes of 2024​

But already the following year, the war cruelly interfered in the life of the birds. About 400 nests were destroyed, and not a single chick hatched. A hurricane that struck the Karachaus lagoon literally washed away the first nests. Later, at the Hadzhyder lagoon, where the flamingos tried again to form a colony, the situation was worsened by constant explosions, the roar of drones, and the nightly “noise of enemy UAVs.”

Flamingos are extremely sensitive to disturbance. Frightened, they left their nests even for short periods of time. Aggressive yellow-legged gulls, nesting nearby, took advantage of this and completely destroyed the flamingo clutches. And although the territory where this happened is a protected zone of the park, any human intervention to defend the colony is prohibited.

The Third Attempt – Another Failure in 2025​

In the spring of 2025, more than 1,500 adult flamingos once again gathered in the park. They tried to build nests in several places, but the outcome was tragic once more. The colonies that had just begun to form were one by one destroyed by the impacts of war and secondary factors.

In early autumn, gulls completely ruined the nests. Part of the flock left the Tuzly Lagoons and moved to Kuyalnytsky National Nature Park and other coastal lagoons.

A Symbol of Fragility and Strength​

The story of flamingos in Ukraine is a mirror of today’s reality. It shows how war destroys not only cities and human destinies but also the very fabric of nature. Flamingos are delicate and vulnerable, yet strong in their loyalty to their chosen places. Again and again, they return, giving us hope that after the war ends, these magnificent birds will once more be able to raise chicks on Ukrainian soil.

You can follow the life of the Tuzlovskie Limany National Park here.

• This reply was modified 2 weeks, 5 days ago by Roman Rusev Ukraine.