FSBI «Prioksko-Terrasny State Natural Biosphere Reserve»

Prioksko-Terrasny state reserve was founded on June 19, 1945. Since 1979, it has been a member of the UNESCO world network of biosphere reserves. Since March 19, 2015, it has been named after Mikhail Zablotsky.

It is one of the smallest nature reserves in Russia. However, an area of about 5 thousand hectares is home to 142 species of birds and 57 species of mammals. The main attraction is the bison, the largest animal in Europe.

Federal state budgetary institution "Prioksko-Terrasny state natural biosphere reserve" is an environmental research and environmental education institution.

Main objectives:

* conservation and restoration of natural ecosystems and landscapes, rare and endangered species of plants and animals;
* conducting long-term integrated environmental research;
* preservation and study of unique meadow-steppe plant communities and floristic complex known as " Oka flora»;
* breeding, studying and settling in the former habitat of the European bison;
* environmental education.

The adoption of bison

Since 2014, the reserve has been running the adopt a bison program, which aims to attract sponsorship funds to improve animal welfare in the nursery. Over the 12 years of its operation, 120 bison have found "foster parents".

Ecotourism

The Prioksko-Terrasny nature reserve offers wide opportunities for eco-tourism and invites you to visit the high-altitude ecological path "Through the leaves", the Tree-house ecological Park, the Central bison nursery and the nature Museum.
The ecological path "Through the foliage" runs at an altitude of 8 meters, representing a series of bridges-crossings connected by observation platforms.

The Tree-house ecological Park is a unique project that allows you to learn about the life of a tree, as well as insects, birds and animals in a playful way. The complex of rope crossings includes four routes of various levels of difficulty at an altitude of 1 to 6 meters for adults and children from 4 years old.

The Central bison nursery has been breeding bison since 1948. It conducts scientific research on the biology, ecology, ethology of bison, methods of their maintenance, feeding and transportation. The nursery, with an area of 200 hectares, is designed for the simultaneous maintenance of 50-60 animals that are in conditions close to natural.

The nursery contains one family of North American steppe bison (the closest relatives of the bison) for comparative research and demonstration to tourists.