Prioksko-Terrasnyi Nature Reserve

Prioksko-Terrasnyi Nature Reserve is a protected area in Serpukhov District, Moscow Oblast, that extends along the left bank of the Oka. The landscape alternates between wooded hills, open meadows, and wetland areas where hundreds of plant species thrive.

The protected area was established in 1945 as part of the Moscow Nature Reserve to preserve the natural vegetation along the Oka. Three years later, a bison nursery was created to help save the species from near extinction.

The grounds include a breeding station for European bison, where visitors can observe these rare animals up close. Several walking routes pass through different vegetation zones and offer insight into the work of conservationists.

Guided tours allow access to certain parts of the reserve and offer the chance to see wildlife. Marked paths are easier to navigate during the warmer months when the ground is dry.

The reserve sits at the boundary between taiga and broad-leaved forest, so plants and animals from north and south occur side by side. This mix creates habitats that would otherwise remain separate.