Primorsky Krai with its amazing natural landscape has long been loved by tourists. The harsh and majestic Ussuri taiga, fast-moving mountain rivers, rumbling waterfalls and pristine lakes with blooming lotuses attract travelers with their beauty. Shkotovsky district of Primorsky Krai, famous for its waterfalls (Tigrovy, Dalny and Unexpected), boasts another attraction - this is Safari Park. Animals are kept without cages, and they can be observed in conditions close to natural.
Safari Park (Primorsky Territory)
The opening of the park took place in 2007, and initially its main inhabitants were deer, roe deer and musk deer, saved by people. The range of pets is constantly expanding and replenished with new species. Now for a comfortable stay of animals fenced about 5 hectares of forest. Five species of ungulates have at their disposal three parks, two summer and a winter. Seaside Safari Park also has representatives of predatory animals; forest areas where they live and freely walk in natural conditions are fenced for them. The feathered kingdom is represented in the park by a variety of birds, including 15 species of birds of prey; they are kept in special aviaries.
Ungulates
Roe deer, sika deer, red deer, hybrid deer and wild boars freely move through the territory of three parks. Animals are contact, therefore, walking along the paths, they can be fed and photographed. Here you can meet rabbits and squirrels who willingly take treats from human hands. Seafood Safari Park provides pet food for visitors free of charge. There are restrictions in order not to violate the ecosystem of the animal habitat; guests of the park are forbidden to deviate from the route and leave the paths.
Predators
Himalayan bears, foxes, Far Eastern forest cats, red and gray wolves, otters, raccoon dogs, badger and striped raccoon are kept in the territory reserved for predators. It is best to watch them in the morning, when the animals walk and frolic, after feeding, as befits a predator, they go to bed, choosing a more reserved place. When planning to visit the Seaside Safari Park, you should be aware that it is forbidden to feed predatory animals. The exception, however, is raccoon and otter, they so skillfully beg for refreshments that the park staff do not forbid them to feed.
Predator birds
The park contains 15 species of birds of prey: white-tailed eagle, goshawk, winter buzzard, common buzzard , long-eared owl, marsh owl, black kite, long-tailed owl, eagle owls, bantamidae, and several species of the falconer family. A professional ornithologist who conducts an excursion will help to get to know them closer. Some birds are quite contact, they can be held in hands, wearing a special mitten.
Tigers in Seaside Safari Park
The tiger park is especially popular. This is a fenced area of the forest, divided into two parts. The tigresses Taiga and Ussuri live in the same territory, basically there are no conflicts between them, but sometimes young ladies can quarrel because of a more delicious piece of meat. The tiger Cupid, until recently, lived in splendid isolation. Ussuri tigers visitors can watch from the platforms located at a safe height. The animals are most active in the morning, before eating. Park workers lay out pieces of meat in secluded corners of the tiger territory, so that animals can eat safely. The meal does not look bloodthirsty, so it does not scare visitors. Periodically, tigers get the opportunity to hunt live game, this process occurs in the evening, when guests are no longer in the park.
Cupid and Timur
Of course, one cannot fail to mention in the story about heroes whose unusual friendship stirred the world. The tiger and the goat Primorsky Safari Park made famous far beyond the borders of Russia. Recall that a goat was sent as prey to the hunting territory of the Amur tiger. When the first showed his instincts and attacked, the second was not at a loss and gave the predator a worthy rebuff. Probably, such behavior caused the respect of Cupid, the goat ceased to be considered as a victim and was transferred to the category of equal predators. The courage of the herbivore delighted not only the tiger, but also the staff. In the Seaside Safari Park, the goat was named Timur for its inflexible character. Now these two live in the same territory. Despite his courage, Timur respects Amur’s strength and accepts him as a leader. Park staff say that the goat has its own indoor sleeping place, but often Timur does not want to leave his friend. Therefore, near the cage of Amur, they built a litter of straw for Timur.
New occupant
In January 2016, the Seaside Safari Park was replenished with a new inhabitant, a young male leopard was delivered from the Prague Zoo. In February, the territory was already allocated to the predator, and after a medical examination and quarantine of the leopard, visitors were able to see. While he lives alone, but the park management plans to acquire a girlfriend for him.
On-line translation
So that not only visitors to the park could observe the life of animals, it was decided to install cameras on its territory. On the Safari Park website you can find video and online broadcasts of the amazing friendship of Timur and Amur, see how the leopard is mastered and other animals spend their days.