REZERVATIA NATURALA PRUTUL DE JOS

From north to south, along the Prut, there are vast meadows and swamps. Prutul de Jos is in these floodplains around Slobozia Mare. Two thirds of this 1,690 ha reserve is covered by Lake Beleu, the largest natural lake in Moldova. Here the Prut flows into the Danube.

Lake Beleu with its 1,089 ha is part of a network of ponds forming a unique ecosystem from Cahul to Giurgiuleşti. The level of the lake depends on the variations of the Danube and the Prut. The lake formed 5,000-6,000 years ago from the Danube. It is 5 km long and 2 km wide, with a maximum depth of 2.50 m. The lake has a maximum length of 5 km and a width of 2 km. It almost disappeared in the 1990s, when it was almost dry and could be crossed by car. Torrential rains in September 1991 saved it. There are rare species of mammals (otters, wild cats, ermines, rodents) and many birds find refuge there. There are 155 species of birds, 139 of which have their nests there (cormorants, egrets, herons, gulls) as well as 33 rare species, 12 of which are threatened with extinction. There are also about 30 species of fish such as pikeperch, carp and bream. The flora consists of water lilies, tall grasses, numerous white lilies and reeds. Long threatened by poaching, reed harvesting and oil exploration activities in the region, the Prutul de Jos reserve was added in 2019 to the world list of biosphere reserves established by UNESCO.