Prioksko-Terrasny Nature Reserve

Prioksko-Terrasny sits on river terraces above the Oka, protecting about five thousand hectares of pine forest, bog and an unusual pocket of steppe flora growing far north of its normal range. Its reason for existing now is the bison. European bison were extinct in the wild by 1927, with only around fifty animals left in captivity worldwide, and the nursery here was founded in 1948 to breed from that remnant; several hundred animals born at Prioksko-Terrasny have gone to reintroduction projects across Russia and eastern Europe. Bison are kept in large wooded enclosures along a marked route, seen from a raised walkway, along with a small group of American bison. Access is by guided tour only, which is a conservation measure rather than a commercial one. The forest around holds elk, boar, beaver and a long bird list, and there is a UNESCO biosphere designation.

What you actually see

• The bison nursery - founded in 1948 to breed from the fifty animals left worldwide.
• The enclosures - wooded pens seen from a raised walkway on a marked route.
• The steppe pocket - southern grassland plants growing far north of their usual range.
• The reintroductions - animals bred here sent to projects across Russia and eastern Europe.

When to go

May to September for the forest; winter shows tracks in snow and the bison are fed. Two to four hours. Guided tours only, at set times - book ahead.

Honest expectations

No independent walking - the tour is the only access and it follows a fixed route. Bison are in enclosures, not free-ranging. Mosquitoes in summer are severe. Tours run in Russian, with English by arrangement.

Nearby

Serpukhov and its museum are north; the Oka valley runs east and west.