Protected natural areas in the Republic of Moldova

Protected nature

Wildlife and protected areas

Small and heavily farmed as it is, Moldova still holds beech forest, floodplains along the Prut and the Dniester and lakes full of birds — protected as reserves and as wetlands of international importance.

The Republic of Moldova has dozens of protected natural areas of various categories, five of them scientific reserves — the strictest level of protection. They guard what is left of the country’s natural forest and floodplain, in a landscape otherwise given over to vineyards and farmland.

Codru

since 1971 · the Central Codri

The country’s oldest scientific reserve, in the heart of the Codri, with beech and sessile oak woods. It holds close to 1,000 plant species — about half of Moldova’s flora.

Plaiul Fagului

since 1992 · Ungheni district

Protects one of the finest beech forests in the country, near Rădenii Vechi, with springs and hilly ground.

Pădurea Domnească

since 1993 · the Prut floodplain

Floodplain forest in the north of the country, in Glodeni and Fălești districts, known for its heron colonies and for black storks, a rare species.

Prutul de Jos

since 1991 · Lake Beleu

In the south-west, around Lake Beleu, a haven for waterbirds: more than 160 bird species have been recorded here.

Iagorlîc

since 1988 · on the Dniester

A reserve centred on aquatic ecosystems, on the bank of the Dniester, with rich marsh and shoreline life.

Wetlands of international importance

Three Moldovan wetlands are protected under the Ramsar Convention, the international treaty for conserving marshes, lakes and floodplains — essential habitat for migrating birds.

Lacurile Prutului de Jos

Around Lake Beleu, in the south-west — the country’s best-known wetland.

Nistrul de Jos

In Căușeni and Ștefan Vodă districts, on the lower course of the Dniester.

Unguri-Holoșnița

In the north, in Ocnița, Dondușeni and Soroca districts, on the bank of the Dniester.

What lives here

For such a small territory, the diversity is surprising. The Codru reserve holds close to a thousand plant species, half the country’s flora — from beech and sessile oak to wild orchids. Along the Prut and Dniester floodplains, Lake Beleu and the wetlands shelter hundreds of bird species, many of them passing through between Europe and Africa.

Rare protected species live here too: the black stork, which nests in Pădurea Domnească, otter and European mink along the water’s edge, alongside the fish and amphibians of the marshes. For wildlife watching, early morning and the migration periods in spring and autumn are the best times.

Note: protected areas have special rules for visitors. Some can only be walked on marked trails or with a guide. Check before you go, and respect the conservation rules.