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THE LARGEST ROMANIAN DALMATIAN PELICAN COLONY
THREATENED BY WATER EROSION!

7-07-2004: The Dalmatian Pelican is one of the most threatened birds in Europe. It breeds in
small numbers in SE Europe, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine.
The whole European breeding population was estimated at 1,300 to 1,500 pairs in 2000. For
breeding and roosting, the birds need areas totally isolated from the mainland by water
(e.g. islands, sand banks, reedbeds surrounded by water) in order to avoid predation
by mammals (foxes, dogs, wildboars, jackals, etc) and human disturbance.
The largest Romanian colony of Dalmatian Pelicans and the third largest colony in Europe is
located on a small island in Lake Sinoie (Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve), which consists of
84 breeding pairs in the Spring of 2004. The island is a small sand bank about 350 m from the
shores. It is well hidden from human eyes behind the tall reedbeds of Lupilor levee, a strictly
protected zone of the reserve. Thus insuring the seclusion needed by the pelicans.
Storms and continuous erosion caused by the major currents in Sinoie lake have created a 60%
decrease in surface of the island. Although reduced, the island still could be saved with urgent
intervention. SOR in collaboration with the reserve authority, is planning to build a wooden support
wall to protect the island against erosion. To ensure the future of these birds,
SOR needs your support!


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