Kedrovaya Pad state nature reserve, 20 November

We were at WWF visitors’ centre called the Land of the Leopard (Varabash village). After listening to a brief introduction of this state nature reserve made by our WWF-Russia Programme Coordinator, a kind staff of the reserve led us to climb up the hill on the snow. Those walking in front paved a more stable path for those who were following. Together with an interpreter, he showed us many important plants that were put on the ‘Red book.’ These plants are highly valuable and need to be conserved because they provide a favourable condition for animals to live comfortably. For example, the Korean pine tree produces nuts which various kind of animals like to eat and store. Moreover, the pine tree must be at least 70 or 80 years old to start producing such nutritious nuts. Some plants are very useful in pharmacology and production of goods (e.g. wine cork, furniture...).

It was the first time that I saw a real camera trap. At a point, they placed two camera traps facing different directions and at 1m above the ground. This is to enhance the identification of any animal whose picture is taken. By using a chemical solution which mimics an animal scent, they attract the curious animals to explore the camera.

In addition, they explained how forest surveyors worked together to collect data for analysis. Each surveyor will take one path and examine the entire reserve on the same day. Usually this is done during winter time. They look for animals’ track on the snow, measure the size of the foot print, and jot down the location where they were found. After their journey, they would compile and analyse all the data (the area survey and the pictures from the camera trap) to get the whole picture of the animals’ movement in the reserve. From this, they can estimate the number of each species present in the reserve.

[A group photo: the WWF-Russia staff members, WWF-YTS organiser, 
WWF staff members,  Delegates from Indonesia, Russia, Nepal, China, 
Bangladesh, Cambodia, China and Laos]

The temperature showed a positive figure. We were lucky that there was neither snow storm, nor heavy rain fall on that day. To our Russian fellows, the temperature was just right or rather comfortable for them. As for us, the snow was melting even faster under our warm feet, so we could feel the cold air diffusing through our shoes and our socks because we were not wearing the furry boots. The coldness made me sneeze for a few times. Fortunately, I have not caught any cold.

Overall, it was a memorable experience for me who comes from a hot country to walk on the snow in the forest. The air was so fresh and the sunshine was just right which made me feel like living there. The people who live there are mostly the forest rangers who are brave and strong. They are the heroes who risk their life each time they do their field work. And there are female forest rangers too.