The First Protection Zone for the Preservation of the Steppe Marmot in Ukraine

14.11.2024

Thanks to the active and conscientious work of Larysa Osypenko, a second-year master’s student in the “Ecology” educational program, it was possible to establish a conservation zone for the steppe marmot – an endangered species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.

Larysa OSYPENKO, a 2nd-year master’s student in the field of ecology, worked as an eco-volunteer and completed an industrial internship in 2024 at the Ecology-Law-Human Institute. In the summer and during her internship, Ms. Larysa conducted scientific studies of steppe marmot populations, the results of which will be used for the preparation of the qualification work and have already found their practical application.

On her initiative, together with the “Ecology-Law-Human” NGO, an appeal and justification was sent to the Department of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of the Sumy Regional State Administration. Based on the results of consideration of the appeal on 11.10.2024, a protection zone was created for the conservation of the steppe marmot, a Red Book of Ukraine object. Steppe marmot, or baibak, or steppe marmot, is a species of rodent of the marmot genus of the sciuridae family. A large rodent from the group of hunting species – body length reaches 61 cm, weight – 9.3 kg.

In 2021, it was classified as an endangered species and entered into the Red Book of Ukraine (Order of the Ministry of Environment Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine of January 19, 2021 No. 29). The protective zone with a total area of ​​9.5 hectares is located next to the village of Batsmany, Romena district, Sumy region. This is the first protected zone in Ukraine for the preservation of this endangered species from the Red Book. We hope that more such zones will be created in the future. Ms. Larysa plans to continue working on this research and expresses her sincere thanks to the Department of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of the Sumy Regional State Administration for helping to preserve this species.

We wish Mrs. Larysa continued success in this important activity. Conservation of steppe marmots is a matter that needs our collective care and attention. Each of us can do our part to protect this unique species that is an important part of our ecosystem.

Department of Landscape Gardening and Ecology