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Russia's Kurilsky Reserve: Magnificent Nature Retreat in the Land of Volcanoes

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With some 65,364 hectares (252.37 square miles) of forests, fields and coastline, Kurilsky State Nature Reserve in the country’s Far East is one of the largest wintering sites for seabirds. Sputnik offers you a closer look at the calming beauty of the unique sanctuary located on several islands in the Pacific Ocean.

Kurilsky Nature Reserve covers Kunashir Island — the largest of the Kuril Islands, which stretch between Japan's Hokkaido Island and Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula — and two smaller islands nearby. Sitting on a tectonically unstable location, this sanctuary created in 1984 is one of two Russian national reserves that protect territory of active volcanoes.

The ecological reserve is located in the mixed forests region and is typically characterized by short cool summers and long cold winters.

With approximately 70% of its area covered with forests, Kurilsky Reserve boasts a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Scientists have recorded 227 species of birds and 29 species of mammals on its territory, with 84 of those considered as endangered and included in Russia's list of threatened species. Out of 107 species of vascular plants, 41 are also listed as rare and endangered.

© Sputnik / Ekaterina Shtukina / Go to the mediabankA fox at Kurilsky Nature Reserve on November 30, 2017.
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A fox at Kurilsky Nature Reserve on November 30, 2017.
© Sputnik / Ekaterina Shtukina / Go to the mediabankTyaterka River on Kunashir Island, November 26, 2017.
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Tyaterka River on Kunashir Island, November 26, 2017.
© Sputnik / Ekaterina Shtukina / Go to the mediabankA white-tailed eagle at Kurilsky Nature Reserve on November 30, 2017.
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A white-tailed eagle at Kurilsky Nature Reserve on November 30, 2017.
© Sputnik / Ekaterina Shtukina / Go to the mediabankTrees flattened by a hurricane at Kurilsky Nature Reserve are seen on this photo, taken on November 30, 2017.
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Trees flattened by a hurricane at Kurilsky Nature Reserve are seen on this photo, taken on November 30, 2017.
© Sputnik / Ekaterina Shtukina / Go to the mediabankA seaside sunset at Kurilsky Nature Reserve on November 27, 2017.
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A seaside sunset at Kurilsky Nature Reserve on November 27, 2017.
© Sputnik / Andrej Shapran / Go to the mediabankA Kamchatka brown bear at the Pacific seaside of Kunashir Island on November 3, 2017.
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A Kamchatka brown bear at the Pacific seaside of Kunashir Island on November 3, 2017.
© Sputnik / Andrej Shapran / Go to the mediabankSnow-covered trees at Kurilsky Nature Reserve on November 26, 2017.
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Snow-covered trees at Kurilsky Nature Reserve on November 26, 2017.
© Sputnik / Andrej Shapran / Go to the mediabankA cat living at Kurilsky Nature Reserve on November 27, 2017.
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A cat living at Kurilsky Nature Reserve on November 27, 2017.
© Sputnik / Andrej Shapran / Go to the mediabankBear paw prints are seen left on the sand at the Pacific seaside of Kunashir Island on November 3, 2017.
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Bear paw prints are seen left on the sand at the Pacific seaside of Kunashir Island on November 3, 2017.
© Sputnik / Andrej Shapran / Go to the mediabankFilatovsky check-point at Kurilsky Nature Reserve on November 27, 2017.
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Filatovsky check-point at Kurilsky Nature Reserve on November 27, 2017.
© Sputnik / Andrej Shapran / Go to the mediabankTyatya, a 1,819-meter active volcano located in the northeastern part of Kunashir Island, on the territory of Kurilsky Nature Reserve, is seen on this picture, captured on November 6, 2017.
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Tyatya, a 1,819-meter active volcano located in the northeastern part of Kunashir Island, on the territory of Kurilsky Nature Reserve, is seen on this picture, captured on November 6, 2017.
© Sputnik / Andrej Shapran / Go to the mediabankA fox at Kurilsky Nature Reserve on November 30, 2017.
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A fox at Kurilsky Nature Reserve on November 30, 2017.
© Sputnik / Andrej Shapran / Go to the mediabankA seaside sunset at Kurilsky Nature Reserve on November 27, 2017.
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A seaside sunset at Kurilsky Nature Reserve on November 27, 2017.
© Sputnik / Andrej Shapran / Go to the mediabankAn inspector of Kurilsky Nature Reserve during his raid on November 3, 2017.
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An inspector of Kurilsky Nature Reserve during his raid on November 3, 2017.
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