Lukas Klosowski knelt in the muddy shallows of the Oder Delta, gently cradling a small, speckled fish in his hands before lowering it into the slow-moving water. The young European sturgeon, no longer than a ruler, flicked its tail and vanished into the reeds — one of 5,000 juvenile sturgeon released in 2024 to bring a long-lost species back to life in this cross-border wetland between Germany and Poland.
Sturgeon once swam these waters for millions of years, but by the 20th century, pollution, dams, and overfishing had wiped them out. The fish, which can live up to 100 years and grow over two meters long, are among the most endangered animals on Earth. Their return is not just about saving a single species — it’s about healing entire river ecosystems. As sturgeon stir the riverbed while feeding, they oxygenate the sediment and support healthier waterways for insects, birds, and fish.
The release is led by the Rewilding Oder Delta team, working with local fishermen, scientists, and conservation groups from both Germany and Poland. The young sturgeon were bred at the Władysław Szafer Institute of Botany in Kraków and raised in special outdoor ponds near the river, where they adapted to natural conditions before being set free. Each fish carries a tiny tag, allowing researchers to track their movements and survival rates in the wild.
So far, signs are promising. In 2023, scientists recorded the first natural spawning of sturgeon in the Oder system in decades, a hopeful signal that the fish are not just surviving, but beginning to rebuild their ancient life cycle. The project is part of a broader rewilding vision for the Oder Delta — restoring floodplains, removing obsolete barriers, and reconnecting side channels to let rivers flow freely again.
"This isn’t just about the past — it’s about building a wilder future," says Klosowski, a biologist with Rewilding Oder Delta. "Every sturgeon we release is a step toward rivers that breathe, pulse, and support life in all its forms."
The effort also inspires local communities. Schools now host sturgeon education programs, and eco-tourism initiatives let visitors kayak through rewilded channels in search of returning wildlife. With continued support, the team hopes to release 10,000 young sturgeon annually by 2030. If successful, the Oder Delta could become a blueprint for river restoration across Europe — a place where ancient fish swim free once more.