In the Odesa region, a rehabilitated pelican has been released into the wild at the ‘Tuzlovsky Limans’ national nature park. The bird has now joined a colony of over 200 individuals of this rare species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.

According to Dr. Ivan Rusev, a biological sciences expert at the national park, the pelican underwent a lengthy rehabilitation process. Initially, the bird was brought from Bulgaria to the Zhytomyr region, and later transported to Odesa for its release back into nature.

"We fitted him with a blue ring numbered UA003 and released him yesterday at the Tuzlovsky Limans, where over 200 pelicans currently reside," commented Dr. Rusev.

The practice of returning birds to the wild after rehabilitation has become a common approach at the national park. This initiative helps to preserve the population of pelicans, which are endangered and require special protection.

The ‘Tuzlovsky Limans’ national nature park serves as a crucial habitat for nesting and resting for many rare and endangered bird species during their migrations.