Orenburg Nature Reserve, Nature reserve in Orenburg Oblast, Russia
Orenburg Nature Reserve is a protected area in Orenburg Oblast, Russia, divided into five separate sections spread across different districts and covering more than 38,000 hectares in total. Each section represents a different type of steppe landscape, ranging from open grassland to areas with low shrubs and scattered rock formations.
The reserve was established in 1989 after scientific surveys in the 1970s documented untouched steppe areas in the southeastern part of the region. Its designation followed the recognition that these sections could serve as reference points for original steppe ecosystems.
The reserve contains numerous archaeological sites, including burial mounds from the Sarmatian culture dating back to the 7th through 3rd centuries BCE.
Visitors need to apply for a permit in advance and can enter the reserve only on marked trails to protect the vegetation. The administration organizes guided walks that offer insight into the steppe environment while minimizing disturbance to wildlife.
Since 2015, a group of Przewalski horses has been living here, roaming freely across the steppe terrain after their release into the wild. The reintroduction of these wild horses gives researchers the opportunity to observe their behavior in an environment closely resembling their original habitat.
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