Moldova is a rather small country with a unique array of wildlife, sharing its borders with Ukraine and Romania. Current research reveals that it is only home to approximately 33 mammal species, though one of these species is currently at great risk of becoming extinct.
The Aurochs is the national animal of Moldova, though there are many other common animals in the region, like wild boar, wolves, polecats, foxes, wildcats, and ermines.
The Official National Animal of Moldova
Moldova’s official national animal is the Aurochs, which is found in many other regions in the world, spread throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America. These unique animals can also be found in Oceania and certain areas of North America, but they are still only the national animal to the small country of Moldova, Madagascar, and Nepal.
Female and male aurochs have slightly different coloring in their coat. While the female is reddish-brown, the males have a distinctive black or brown coat with a long light stripe on the back. Their shaggy coat is hard to miss, complemented by their six-foot height at just the shoulder. As an adult, aurochs are up to 8 feet long, living up to 30 years in the wild. Though the males of other horned mammal species often only have this unique feature, females also have horns.
Much of the reason that aurochs have a special place the hearts of Moldovan citizens is due to the swift and fearless nature that is described in a book by Julius Cesar – “The Gallic War.” The unique and large animals were considered sacred in the Iron Age, and the closely related cow is still sacred in Eastern religion today.
In many regions of the world, certain aurochs are now extinct. However, two brothers in Germany sought to bring them back by breeding modern cattle in 1920.
Where to Find the Top Wild Animals in Moldova
Finding wild animals in Moldova is relatively easy, due to the many nature reservations that are protected by the government.
- The Codru Natural Reservation, for example, is filled with lush greenery, valleys, and ravines that are home to nearly 50 different species, like boars, deer, golden eagles, and badgers. The purpose of this reservation is to provide a home for endangered species.
- The Padurea Domneasca (“Royal Forest”) Natural Reservation is found near Romania, giving you the opportunity to see a high number of herons in the wild. The oldest tree in this region is 450 years old, even though the reservation was only founded in the early 1990s.
- The Plaiul Fagului (“Land of Beeches”) Natural Reservation is rich with a variety of wildlife that comes to feed and live in the Codru forest ecosystem. The clear spring water is highly attractive to local deer.
- For anyone looking to check out the southern region of the country, the Prutul De Jos (“Lower Prut”) Natural Reservation has over 241 different animal species, and it is particularly attractive the unique migratory birds that come into the country.
The Most Dangerous Animals in Moldova
Wolves are one of the most dangerous threats in Moldova today. While the gray wolf is relatively common in Moldova and neighboring countries, they have only recently returned to the area after 40 years of absence. The population is protected, and there were only 50 wolves found in Moldova in 2014.
Overall, the potentially dangerous species of Moldova include:
- Gray wolves, though a hybrid species is currently linked to many domestic animal attacks.
- European wildcat, which preys on small carnivores, rodents, and birds.
- Wild boars, which is also one of the most common species to hunt in Moldova.
Endangered Animals in Moldova
Of the unique wildlife that is native to Moldova, there is only one animal that seems to be endangered – the European mink. The European mink is a mammal, featuring a slim body and a bushy tail. Due to how similar the female and male are in their coloring, the main way to tell the difference is the size (since the males are larger). It is only spotted in a few areas in Eastern Europe, France, and Spain, but the population is already dwindling.
These solitary animals are typically found near freshwater sources, but the decline in safe forest areas has taken their typical habitat from them. Despite typically living along riverbanks, lakes, marshlands, and streams, these animals don’t stay in one place for long, which may be why they are still surviving in low numbers. They are at great risk of becoming extinct.
The only native animal to go extinct in Moldova was a type of bison called the Carpathian wisent. It formerly lived in Ukraine and Hungary as well. The action taken by the government has helped to preserve the slow changes in the forest areas. At one time, the majority of Moldova was covered in forests. Now, only 35% is still around, leaving local wildlife with fewer and fewer places to live.
The Flag of Moldova
The flag of Moldova is made up of three vertical stripes in blue, yellow and red inspired by their long history with Romania. In the center of the flag is the country’s coat of arms which includes a golden eagle holding a cross in its beak referring to Moldova’s relationship with Orthodox Christianity. The eagle is holding an olive branch in one talon and a scepter in the other, representing peace and sovereignty.