Paths, sports grounds, cyclists and people enjoying their day – this is what you might expect to see in the heart of a busy resort. Yet even here, nature is never far away.
Recently, we spotted a fire salamander right in the centre of Bukovel, near the sports grounds. It was a small but wonderful reminder that the wild Carpathians are all around us – sometimes just a few metres from the resort’s busiest places.
A remarkable Carpathian resident
With its distinctive black-and-yellow colouring, the fire salamander is one of the region's most recognisable amphibians. Those striking colours are not just for show: they serve as a natural warning to potential predators.
The fire salamander is listed as a vulnerable species in the Red Data Book of Ukraine and is protected due to its declining population.
It also has specialised glands in its skin that produce a defensive secretion. This is one reason why salamanders should never be picked up. Human contact causes unnecessary stress, while their skin secretions can irritate the eyes, nose and mouth.
There is another reason to keep your hands away: substances on human skin can also be harmful to salamanders.
Best admired from a distance
If you are lucky enough to encounter a salamander, feel free to take a photo – but give it space. Do not touch it, move it unless absolutely necessary, or disturb it in any way.
What if your pet spots one?
If your dog or cat becomes interested in a salamander, move your pet away immediately and leave the area. Do not let pets bite, paw at or play with the salamander, as the encounter could harm both animals.
After the rain, watch your step
Fire salamanders are not the only remarkable amphibians you may encounter at Bukovel.
After rainfall, Carpathian newts can often be spotted around the resort, particularly along the lower promenade near the Lake of Youth.
The Carpathian newt is also listed as a vulnerable species in the Red Data Book of Ukraine. In July this year, we even observed the seasonal migration of these small amphibians along Bukovel’s lower promenade and shared the story here.
So next time you are walking around the resort, slow down for a moment and watch your step. A tiny Carpathian resident might be crossing the path right in front of you.
Do not step on it.
Do not touch it.
Do not take it home.
Do not let your pets harm it.
Simply stop, observe, perhaps take a photo – and let it continue on its way.
Bukovel is not only a place where people come to relax. It is also home to the wildlife of the Carpathians. Our responsibility is to enjoy this remarkable natural environment while giving its wild inhabitants the space they need to thrive.