A new tourist tradition in Russia’s remote Kamchatka Peninsula is raising serious alarms among environmentalists. At the scenic Vilyuchinsky Pass, a protected natural area, visitors have begun leaving food offerings at totem poles, inadvertently creating an ecological problem that threatens the region’s unique wildlife and pristine environment.
The ritual centers around striking wooden statues depicting the “Gamuls,” mythical creatures from the folklore of Kamchatka’s indigenous Itelmen people. In ancient legends, these “volcano people” or “spirits of the volcanoes” were powerful beings who lived in volcanic craters and controlled the weather. Tourists, creating their own modern ceremony, are now placing cookies, bread, and candy at the base of these totems or even inside their carved mouths as a token of respect.
However, what is intended as a harmless gesture is having a detrimental impact on the fragile ecosystem. Ecologists report that these offerings quickly turn into food waste, attracting local birds and animals. The soggy bread and sweets provide an unnatural and easily accessible meal, disrupting the natural order of the wild and turning a spiritual site into a hazardous feeding ground.
Conservation specialists warn that habituating wild animals to human food is extremely dangerous. This practice alters their natural foraging behaviors and disrupts food chains that have been established over centuries. Animals that lose their fear of humans can become persistent or even aggressive in their search for easy meals, increasing the risk of negative human-wildlife encounters. Such interference could lead to unpredictable and devastating consequences for the region.
Authorities and environmental groups are now issuing an urgent plea for visitors to Kamchatka to act with greater awareness and responsibility. They urge tourists to respect the local nature and traditions by observing park regulations, which strictly prohibit feeding wildlife and leaving behind any form of waste. The message is clear: the best way to honor the spirit of this wild land is to leave it exactly as it was found.