Heroes of Nature: How the Rangers of Tuzli Estuaries National Park Protect Ukraine’s Unique Ecosystems Amid Combating Poaching and Systemic Resistance
In early autumn, the team of the Tuzli Estuaries National Park received a prestigious international award — the 2025 International Ranger Awards from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
This accolade recognizes their extraordinary efforts in preserving the biodiversity of the Black Sea coastal wetlands, severely impacted during Soviet times by large-scale reclamation projects.
The award ceremony took place in October in Abu Dhabi and gathered 13 laureates worldwide, including six individual rangers and seven teams.
The level of competition was high, as this award not only honors personal achievements but highlights the importance of protecting nature under wartime conditions and systemic opposition from industrial lobbyists and illegal poachers.
As park director Irina Vyhrystiuk emphasizes, this recognition underscores the consistent struggle for the conservation of a delicate ecological system that holds strategic significance for Ukraine’s marine biodiversity.The team constantly faces cunning opposition — illegal fishing, destruction of coastal strips, and sabotage of law enforcement efforts fighting poaching syndicates.
Especially acute is their battle against industrial poachers who block water channels, disrupt natural water exchanges, and interfere with fragile lagoon ecosystems.
They believe that land rights once belonged to collective farms and now belong to no one — leading to illegal farming and land grabbing.
Courts are used to defend these territories, but the legal process drags on, often leaving violators unpunished.
Despite these hurdles, scientists and conservationists continue to record and reveal illegal activities, raising awareness and fighting through information and legal channels.A major challenge is the disregard of environmental laws by local land users, who consider abandoned lands as their personal property.
This results in unpermitted plowing of coastal areas, threatening the preservation of unique steppe ecosystems.
Legal battles are ongoing, but cases are often closed or ignored, exacerbating ecological damage.
Education programs and public activism are vital tools to slow down destruction and raise community awareness about the importance of sustainable resource use.Amidst wartime, when shelling and mine fields significantly affect the delicate balance, park staff perform a crucial role in preserving and researching biodiversity under the most challenging conditions.
They monitor the rare pink flamingos and other protected bird species, collect scientific data, and maintain base control points to observe migratory birds like herons, pelicans, and the charismatic flamingos, listed in the IUCN Red List.
Recent conservation efforts have resulted in successful ringing of juvenile flamingos, but the proliferation of drones in recent years has introduced new stressors.The park’s educational division actively engages local communities and schoolchildren through online and offline activities, fostering a love for nature among the younger generation and promoting responsible resource management.
The park’s staff emphasizes transparency and honesty in tackling violations, often naming culprits publicly to deter infractions.Despite the ongoing war, the staff continues their work, risking their lives by defending the sanctuary from illegal activities amidst constant shelling and threats.
They ensure the protection and scientific study of Ukraine’s natural riches, demonstrating resilience and dedication.
The work is physically and emotionally demanding—many staff have joined the military, leaving the remaining team even more committed.The Tuzli Estuaries Park is a unique bastion of natural protection in Ukraine, as it actively supports and upholds the culture of ranger work.
It operates in conditions unlike any other in the world today, with people guarding flamingos, pelican colonies, and other wildlife against threats during ongoing hostilities.
Irina Vyhrystiuk concludes: “We work as much as we can, and even beyond.
We wouldn’t withstand without the support of those who believe in the value of preserving nature and who actively help us.
Our budget and equipment are limited, but our motivation is limitless.”A special component of their work involves public education and awareness-raising, engaging schools, students, and communities to foster a respectful attitude towards biodiversity.
Their efforts aim to transform the perception of natural resources from commodities to invaluable treasures, ensuring their protection for future generations.This year, Ukrainian rangers received global recognition—becoming the boldest in the world—highlighting that Ukraine is not only a country of conflict but also of resilience and courage.
Their daily struggle is a testament to the strength of Ukrainian spirit and the necessity of safeguarding our natural heritage even amid war.