The Year of Ecology in Russia-2017: WWF compiled a list of the most interesting Russian reserves

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) of Russia chose the seven most notable specially protected areas (PAR) to the centenary of appearance of the first reserve - the Barguzinsky, which was created on 11 January 1917 by the new style.     

The list of seven items included as the smallest reserve "Galichya Mountain" (the Lipetsk region), and the biggest - Arctic Reserve (the Krasnoyarsk Territory). Their area is equal to, respectively, a little more than two square kilometers and forty-two thousand square kilometers. "Land of Leopard" National Park - the only place on earth, home to the endangered Amur tiger and Amur leopard. However, thanks to efforts made by the State and ecologists, in recent years the number of these "wonderful cats" slightly increased.

The reserve "Wrangel Island" (Chukotka) is called the main maternity home of polar bears. In addition, on Wrangel Island is located the world's largest rookery of Pacific walrus.

The first Russia’s reserve - Barguzinsky (Buryatia) was created to preserve the sable, which hunters fur brought to the brink of extinction. When the reserve was created there were only 20-30 sables. Today, thousands of individuals of all kinds of color live here.

The Pechora-Ilych nature reserve in the Komi Republic is Manpupuner plateau with seven stone sculptures as tall as a 15-storey building. Inhabitants of these mystical places are moose, bears, wolves, wolverines, wild boars, badgers, reindeer, raccoon dogs.

Above others in Russia is located the national park "Elbrus area" (Kabardino-Balkaria), which includes the country's highest peak - Mount Elbrus. There are waterfalls, lakes, healing mineral springs, alpine meadows. Much of the territory is occupied by forests. A huge number of species inhabit parks, including tours, chamois, lynx, brown bears, wolves, wild boars, falcons, Caucasian grouse, white-tailed and others.