Experts from the World Wildlife Fund and the Karelian Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences surveyed the coast and the territory adjacent to Lake Lovno in the Laplandsky Forest reserve.
Footprints have been found on beaches and trails. According to scientists, the reindeer actively uses these habitats in the summer-autumn period. Fishing site users and tourists said they regularly see deer in these areas.
Confirmed the presence of reindeer and inspection of mountain areas adjacent to the coast. In summer, in the mountains, animals find both a sufficient amount of food and salvation from blood-sucking insects. Animals often move along the same routes, their paths are well defined and occur in different mountainous areas.
Scientists in the course of field work also collected biomaterials necessary for genetic analysis. They expect to establish the degree of purity of animals. Through research, scientists will be able to understand whether wild deer live in these places or a hybrid with a domesticated form.
In addition, during the trip, experts noticed traces of a brown bear and even a wolf. Local fishermen said that last year they heard the howl of these predators.
The press service of the World Wildlife Fund noted that there were practically no tourists in the reserve this year. Scientists noted the low impact of the anthropogenic factor in the summer-autumn period.
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