Volunteers Visited North Ossetia

Photo by: Ksenia Gasitsa
Photo by: Ksenia Gasitsa

The ecological and educational camp of the Russian Geographical Society in the Alanya National Park has completed its work. Volunteers from Russia went to North Ossetia to help the park's employees build ecological trails necessary for the release of two Persian (Caucasian) leopards into the natural environment.

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Photo by: Ksenia Gasitsa
Photo by: Ksenia Gasitsa

The Persian (or Caucasian) leopard is the largest subspecies of leopards in the world and is in danger of extinction. The predator is an ancient historical symbol of Ossetia; it is depicted on the coat of arms of North and South Ossetia. This year the scientific community and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of Russia decided that the mountainous territory of North Ossetia was most suitable for a large cat in the North Caucasus. Two individuals of this animal listed in the red book were brought from the Sochi Center for Leopard Restoration and were released at the end of July.

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Photo by: Ksenia Gasitsa
Photo by: Ksenia Gasitsa

During 7 days, young people prepared the Kumadi river and Madzaski tsada natural reserve, cleared a nature trail on Gularsky pass. In addition, trips and excursions were organized for the participants: the volunteers visited the mountain village of Fasnal, where the cultural heritage site of federal level "Five tower crypts, middle ages" is located, saw catacomb burial grounds and crypts in the village of Matsuta, the site of ancient people in the village of Dunta, and crypts and tombs in the village of Galiat. The young people learned a lot of interesting things about local culture, national traditions, and the history of Alanya.

“The emotions after this volunteer experience are bright and will last a lifetime. A one-day walking trip to Lake Donisar located at the height of over 3,000 meters left great impressions. Is it at the end of the Donisar gorge and is adjacent to the end of the Donisar glacier," said Ksenia Gasitsa, a member of the environmental educational camp.

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Photo by: Ksenia Gasitsa
Photo by: Ksenia Gasitsa

"I think such expeditions are a very good educational platform where you can learn to overcome fears and trust people. During the expedition we had time to get acquainted with the culture of the Digor gorge. Mountain dwellers are kind and honest people. We learned a lot about their national cuisine and life in these places," said Antonina Kolomiets, a participant of the ecological and educational camp.

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Photo by: Ksenia Gasitsa
Photo by: Ksenia Gasitsa

The Alanya National Park has been working since 1998. It was created to preserve the unique natural complexes in the South-Western part of the Republic of North Ossetia. The national park is located on the Northern slope of the Central Caucasus. 

 

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Photo by: Ksenia Gasitsa
Photo by: Ksenia Gasitsa