Setun Valley zakaznik, Natural sanctuary in Ochakovo-Matveyevskoye District, Russia.
Setun Valley zakaznik is a nature sanctuary in the Ochakovo-Matveyevskoye District that stretches along both banks of the Setun River. The protected area contains wetlands, woodlands, and open meadows forming a mosaic of different habitats.
The sanctuary was established in 1998 as a protected area within Moscow's city limits. This designation came as urban expansion threatened to eliminate natural spaces from the region.
Educational programs within the sanctuary connect local communities with nature through organized activities focused on wildlife observation and environmental protection.
The sanctuary is accessible through marked trails and designated paths that allow exploration while keeping disturbance to habitats to a minimum. Sturdy footwear is recommended, especially during wetter seasons when many areas become boggy.
The sanctuary houses populations of stoats, Eurasian water shrews, and muskrats within Moscow's city limits. These animals are typically found in less developed areas, making their presence here a testament to the importance of this protected space.
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