Stamp Sheet "Wildlife of Ukraine" 1997

The 1997 miniature sheet "Wildlife of Ukraine" (Nos. 176–181) serves as a miniature gallery of the natural world, bringing together—within a single composition—the masters of the skies, quiet forest dwellers, and nomads of the steppes. Released on the eve of the New Year, this sheet was conceived as an artistic portrait of Ukraine’s natural wealth, ranging from familiar, childhood-recognized figures to rare species in need of protection.
Artist Volodymyr Lesniak structured the composition as a contrasting dialogue between different elements and scales; alongside powerful giants, there is room for tiny, almost fairytale-like creatures.

Masters of the Skies (stamps with a face value of 0.20 UAH)

The top row of the sheet is dedicated to birds, each embodying a distinct landscape and mood of the Ukrainian natural environment.
• Eurasian Skylark (*Alauda arvensis*). A living symbol of Ukraine’s boundless steppes and fields, whose resonant song is the first to herald the arrival of spring and the awakening of the earth.
• White-tailed Eagle (*Haliaeetus albicilla*). A powerful and majestic predator—ruler of vast river valleys and the stretches of the Dnieper—that embodies strength, freedom, and the rare beauty of the wild; it is listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.
• Black Stork (*Ciconia nigra*). Unlike its white-colored relative that settles near humans, this mysterious, striking creature chooses the remote, ancient forests of Polissia and the Carpathians, embodying the pristine silence of protected wilderness.

Inhabitants of Forests and Steppes (stamps with a face value of 0.40 UAH)

The bottom row introduces land-dwelling inhabitants, showcasing the remarkable diversity of temperaments found in our local fauna—from tiny nocturnal wanderers to the unbridled force of the wild forest.
• Long-eared hedgehog (*Erinaceus auritus*). An endearing and unusual inhabitant of the southern steppes; distinguished from the common forest hedgehog by its long ears and agility, it serves as a reminder of the fragility of steppe ecosystems.
• Garden dormouse (*Eliomys quercinus*). A miniature, graceful forest creature with large eyes and a bushy, tufted tail—rarely seen in the wild due to its nocturnal habits and scarcity.
• Wild boar (*Sus scrofa*). The embodiment of primal energy, endurance, and the untamed power of Ukraine’s oak groves and floodplain forests; a creature essential to the natural balance of our region.

Concept and Artistic Vision of the Issue

Although Ukrposhta did not publish an official manifesto for this issue, the selection of subjects eloquently reveals the concept behind this 1990s philatelic series. During the first decade of independence, the state sought to showcase its natural heritage to both the world and its own citizens.
• Ecological Focus. Most of the subjects featured on the sheet are species listed in the Red Book or classified as vulnerable (the white-tailed eagle, black stork, long-eared hedgehog, and garden dormouse). These miniatures were intended to draw attention to the preservation of biodiversity, serving as a reminder that the country’s true treasures live right alongside us.
• Geographical Completeness. Together, the six subjects encompass all of Ukraine’s natural zones—from the forests of the Carpathians and Polissia to the steppes of the Black Sea region—forming a cohesive mosaic of the natural world.

Country - Ukraine
Release Date - 12/30/1997
The circulation - 100 000
Michel number - 176-181
Block size - 113х122 mm