Muraka Nature Reserve, Nature reserve in Ida-Viru County, Estonia
Muraka Nature Reserve is a protected area in eastern Estonia consisting of extensive wetlands, bogs, and unspoiled forests. The landscape features varied mire ecosystems with swampy areas, fens, small streams, and forest sections connected by marked trails for visitors.
The area received formal protection in 1938 to safeguard nesting eagles, marking the beginning of its conservation efforts. The protected status later expanded to encompass the entire mire ecosystem and all the wildlife that depends on it.
The land holds traces of 14 historical farms scattered across bog islands, where old trees and ruins mark where people once lived. These remnants are woven into the wetland landscape and show how communities adapted to living on higher ground within the mires.
Bring waterproof gear and sturdy footwear since the terrain remains wet and muddy throughout much of the year. A Nature Room exhibition at Oonurme Community House provides context before or after exploring the marked hiking trails that cross the reserve.
The reserve is home to rare animal species including the Siberian flying squirrel and several insect species found in very few other places in Europe. These specialized inhabitants depend on the specific conditions of the wetland ecosystem to survive.
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