Dozens of wild horses died in the Danube Delta due to the cold and lack of food: “They walk like walking skeletons”
The wave of frost in recent days has wreaked havoc in the Danube Delta, where dozens of wild horses have died due to the extreme cold and lack of food. Environmentalists warn that the danger has not passed, despite a slight increase in temperatures, and the risk of an epidemiological alert is not excluded.
The wild horses of the Delta, dead of cold and hunger. PHOTO: Archive
On the Dranov ridge, veterinarians have so far identified approximately 40 bodies. The animals that survived are in a serious condition, extremely weakened after days in which temperatures dropped to minus 20 degrees Celsius. About 350 wild horses live in the area, and access is only by water, eight kilometers from Murighiol, which makes interventions difficult.
During the frost, the horses did not even have access to water, the surfaces being completely frozen. Without food and resources, animals gnawed tree bark to survive. Veterinarians say the lack of caloric intake has led to severe exhaustion and deterioration of the health of the surviving specimens.
“They didn't have caloric energy and they start to succumb. Muscular atrophy also appeared, just so that the organism could live. They walk like walking skeletons.” said Ștefan Răileanu, veterinarian, for Știrileprotv.ro.
The presence of corpses raises the risk of triggering an ecological and epidemiological alert. The Administration of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve is analyzing measures to prevent the spread of possible diseases, including the temporary suspension of jackal hunting, so that the predators can consume the carcasses of the animals.
“If it is confirmed that there are a large number of corpses in the Dranov gravel area, we will definitely stop jackal extraction in the Murighiol-Dunavăț area, to give the jackal the opportunity to feed on the animal corpses”, said Bogdan Bulete, the governor of ARBDD.
In parallel, volunteers and non-governmental organizations mobilized to support the surviving animals. Farmers and individuals donate feed, which is transported to affected areas to prevent further losses.
“A lot of farmers, well-wishers and NGOs have mobilized who want to donate. We are interested in fodder. Someone said they want to take a foal home. This is not what it's about. They have to stay there. Let's just help them.” said Marian Sterea, photographer involved in the support actions.
According to the latest report of the Administration of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, approximately 2,000 wild horses live in the Delta, most of them being concentrated in Grindul Letea, where almost half of the population is located. The authorities and specialists are still monitoring the situation, in the context in which the effects of the frost could continue to be felt in the coming period.
