Odessa, 20 OCTOBER 2016, CONTEXT-Prichernomorie — In mid-October in the village of Orlovka, located in the South of Odessa region in the Danube Delta, was established an experimental herd of 14 water Buffaloes of the Carpathian type, the correspondent of IA «Context-Prichernomorie» reports.

About it the Agency was announced today, October 20, by the specialist of public relations of WWF in Ukraine Ekaterina Kurakina.

As expert noted, the idea to restore the population of buffaloes in the Danube region belongs to Odessa «Regional Studies Center», which implements this programme jointly with the National Ecological Centre of Ukraine (NECU) in the framework of the project «Climate Forum East II» (CFE II).

Some of the animals providing the Dutch Foundation True Nature Foundation, which supports the restoration of natural ecosystems and the sustainable development of societies.

Creating an experimental herd of buffaloes would be example of the use of new activities in the territories, which are currently used ineffectively, are not suitable for agricultural production and other livestock for grazing.

Buffaloes brought from Transcarpathia, where has preserved the largest group of these animals in Ukraine. Experience in content and the treatment of buffaloes shares Michel Jacobi — German Forester-ecologist, who moved from Germany to Ukraine to restore the population of Buffaloes and help preserve the agro-biodiversity of the Carpathian mountains.

«Water buffaloes serve many ecological functions and should contribute to improving the state of floodplain ecosystems of the Danube Delta and the Danube lakes, they are the natural ameliorators that support the ducts, eating aquatic vegetation and clearing silted areas», said senior researcher of the «Rregional Studies Center» Oleg Dyakov. In the absence of open water animals can dig out a small lake, attracting wild birds, reptiles and spineless. In addition, these animals are more adapted to those new conditions predicted by climate scientists, less prone to disease.

The Experimental herds of buffalo in Orlovka uses the experience of World Wide Fund for Nature WWF in Ukraine for the reintroduction of large herbivores on the island Small Tataru in the Danube Delta.

Buffaloes should also attract tourists and are regarded as one of the most interesting objects for observation in the environmental park, which is created close to village Orlovka in backwater wetland of international importance «Kartal Lake».

The local population will be attracted to the Park service: tourism, conservation, grazing of buffaloes, milk production and limited the production of dairy products (note that it is from Buffalo milk black is a famous Italian mozzarella). Will create 5 jobs (guides, shepherd, protection, manufacture of cheese). In addition, local residents will be attracted to the use of potential energy of the Park and harvesting of biomass (willows and reeds).

WWF representatives have noted that once in southern Europe had a lot of buffalo, but their number decreased significantly in the twentieth century. Until now, buffaloes in Ukraine only in the veins Askania Nova and farms in the Carpathians and Goloseyevsky monastery.

REFERENCE: Mini-project «Integrated Resource Plant», which includes the creation of an experimental herd of buffaloes, realized in the framework of the «Climate Forum East II» project financed by the EU, the ADA and the Austrian Red Cross. CFE II project promotes the unification of public organizations and to enhance their ability to effectively participate in the dialogue with the authorities at various levels in matters of adaptation to climate change.

The project is implemented in five countries: Armenia, Georgia, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine. WWF World Wildlife Fund provides expert support and coordinates the implementation of the project in Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus. Ukrainian Project Coordinator is the National Ecological Centre of Ukraine.