Over the past six years, multi-partner rewilding efforts have supported the recovery of endangered Dalmatian pelican populations across southeastern Europe. Coordinated by Rewilding Europe and supported by the European Commission, the “Pelican Way of LIFE” initiative has secured a brighter future for this majestic bird and emphasised the importance of wetland restoration.

After thousands of dives all across the globe – still, when I entered the Danube River Delta it was like a whole new world opened up for me. To be honest, it blew me away. The high variety of environments and habitats, all in various stages of the process of consolidation, an underwater flora creating dream-like landscapes I’d never seen before, abundance of fish life and some underwater creatures looking more like they came straight from a space cartoon for kids.