Sookuninga Nature Reserve
| Sookuninga Nature Reserve | |
|---|---|
  | |
| Location | Estonia |
| Nearest city | Pärnu |
| Coordinates | 58°00′24″N 24°45′45″E / 58.00667°N 24.76250°ECoordinates: 58°00′24″N 24°45′45″E / 58.00667°N 24.76250°E |
| Area | 5,869 ha (14,500 acres) |
Sookuninga Nature Reserve is a nature reserve situated in south-western Estonia, in Pärnu County.
Sookuninga nature reserve is situated on the Latvian border of Estonia and comprises a large area of wetlands and woodlands. Sookuninga nature reserve and the Ziemeļu bogs protected area across the border together make out the North Livonian trans-boundary Ramsar protected wetland site. Together, the two sites form one of the largest natural peat bog areas in the Baltic states and constitute an important fresh-water reservoir. Sookuninga is home to many species, including large mammals like Gray wolf, Eurasian lynx and Brown bear. The site is furthermore a refuge for many unusual or threatened species of birds, including three species of eagle. Traditionally, the area has been sparsely populated due to its inaccessibility, and therefore also used as a hiding-place during times of war. Facilities for visitors include a bird-watching tower and a hiking trail.[1][2]
References
- ↑ Protected Natural Objects of Pärnu County (PDF). Estonian Environmental Board. 2012. p. 17.
- ↑ "The annotated Ramsar list - Estonia". The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Retrieved 23 February 2013.