Sookuninga Nature Reserve
Protected area in Estonia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sookuninga Nature Reserve is a nature reserve situated in south-western Estonia, in Pärnu County.
| Sookuninga Nature Reserve | |
|---|---|
  | |
| Location | Estonia |
| Nearest city | Pärnu |
| Coordinates | 58°00′24″N 24°45′45″E |
| Area | 5,869 ha (14,500 acres) |
| Designated | 3 February 2006 |
| Reference no. | 1748[1] |
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.[2][3]
