Ukrainian Rangers Recognized at Global Congress
At the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Congress held in Abu Dhabi, the team from the Tuzlivski Lymany National Nature Park received the esteemed Ranger Award 2025.
The Ukrainian team ranked among the top seven ranger teams worldwide, alongside representatives from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. They were recognized for a decade of dedicated efforts to protect the coastal ecosystems of southern Ukraine, combat poaching, and preserve biodiversity even amidst the ongoing war.
This award was established by the World Commission on Protected Areas of IUCN, the International Ranger Federation (IRF), and the Global Wildlife Conservation fund. It honors individuals dedicated to safeguarding wildlife across all continents.
The award was personally received by Iryna Vykhrystiuk, the chief ranger of the national park and head of the protected area service. According to scientist Ivan Rusev, she has repeatedly confronted armed poachers and even a tractor that was destroying the steppe, risking her own life in the process.
Unfortunately, the war has claimed the lives of two park rangers, while several others are serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Despite this, the team continues its work, restoring nature after large-scale fires and demonstrating that wildlife protection is part of the struggle for Ukraine.
“This award is not just about our work; it's about Ukraine, which fights not only for freedom but also for the very life of nature even during wartime,” emphasized the national park team.
