Kamchatka has undergone a planned rotation of state inspectors who ensure the protection of the border cordons of the Kronotsky Nature Reserve. The main task of the replacement teams is not only patrolling the territory, but also monitoring key habitats of wild reindeer, whose population is under threat.
Increased protection measures were made possible by an environmental project aimed at preserving the unique Kamchatka population of wild reindeer. The project is supported by the Conservation of Ecological Systems of the Far East and Siberia Charitable Foundation. The funding was allocated within the framework of the program “Natural systems of Siberia, the Far East and other regions of Russia” in the key area “Protection of the territory from poaching”. As part of this support, the staff of the reserve’s security service received sets of new winter uniforms. In addition, generators and batteries for power systems were purchased to ensure uninterrupted operation of the cordons and stable communications.
During the transfer of inspectors to the protected area, an aerial flyby of the area was conducted. Special attention was paid to the projected conservation area of the Kronotsky Nature Reserve. The flight was carried out at an altitude that is guaranteed not to cause concern to wild animals, especially noise-sensitive reindeer.
Vsevolod Yakovlev, Acting Director of the Kronotsky State Nature Reserve, reports that no violations of the established security regime were detected during the air patrol. He emphasizes that the absence of intruders and factors of concern is critically important for the conservation of Kamchatka’s only large herd of wild reindeer, a species listed in the Red Book of Russia. Yakovlev also expresses gratitude to the foundation for the provision provided, which allows inspectors to effectively carry out tasks to preserve the unique biological diversity of the region.
Despite efforts to protect, violations of the protected regime still occur. Since the beginning of 2025, one administrative case has been initiated. A group of tourists on skis crossed the territory of the reserve without the necessary permission and without following the established tourist route. In addition to violating legislation on specially protected natural areas, these people have put themselves in serious danger. They did not notify the relevant emergency services of their intention to visit remote and hard-to-reach places. In winter, there is always a high risk of avalanches in the mountainous regions of Kamchatka, which makes unauthorized routes especially risky.