Plans for the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric dam began in 1961, with construction started in 1966 and the Yenisei flow blocked in 1975. In 1967, however, the first reports appeared on the need to establish a nature reserve in the vicinity of the new dam.
© Photo : Sergey VolkovPlans for the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric dam began in 1961, with construction started in 1966 and the Yenisei flow blocked in 1975. In 1967, however, the first reports appeared on the need to establish a nature reserve in the vicinity of the new dam. Photo: Golden eagle.
Plans for the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric dam began in 1961, with construction started in 1966 and the Yenisei flow blocked in 1975. In 1967, however, the first reports appeared on the need to establish a nature reserve in the vicinity of the new dam. Photo: Golden eagle.
© Photo : Andey GilbertInitially the huge dam’s impact on the local environment was enormous…
Initially the huge dam’s impact on the local environment was enormous…
© Photo : Andrey Gilbert…because all living creatures that had inhabited that narrow strip of the bank disappeared.
…because all living creatures that had inhabited that narrow strip of the bank disappeared.
© Photo : Andrey GilbertBadger, foxes and other animals living on the banks of the Yenisei simply couldn’t adapt to the new conditions quickly enough.
Badger, foxes and other animals living on the banks of the Yenisei simply couldn’t adapt to the new conditions quickly enough.
© Photo : Andrey GilbertPredators, especially wolves, were the first to adapt. Photo: A wolf.
Predators, especially wolves, were the first to adapt. Photo: A wolf.
© Photo : Sergey VolkovIt took hoofed mammals 10-12 years to adapt. Photo: A reindeer.
It took hoofed mammals 10-12 years to adapt. Photo: A reindeer.
© Photo : Andrey GilbertScientists worried that the population of ibex, a rare wild goat, would be decimated, but their fears turned out to be groundless. Photo: A wild goat in the woods.
Scientists worried that the population of ibex, a rare wild goat, would be decimated, but their fears turned out to be groundless. Photo: A wild goat in the woods.
© Photo : Sergey VolkovThe dam has certainly altered the local environment. It grew warmer, and the kinds of plants growing on the banks changed. Photo: A bear.
The dam has certainly altered the local environment. It grew warmer, and the kinds of plants growing on the banks changed. Photo: A bear.
© Photo : Andrey VolkovThe Sayano-Shushensky biosphere reserve is unique because…
Photo: An owl.
Photo: An owl.
The Sayano-Shushensky biosphere reserve is unique because…
Photo: An owl.
Photo: An owl.
© Photo : Andrey Gilbert… it helps preserve rare animal species including the snow leopard. The reserve has the world’s highest snow leopard population density, one animal per 10 sq km. Photo: A snow leopard.
… it helps preserve rare animal species including the snow leopard. The reserve has the world’s highest snow leopard population density, one animal per 10 sq km. Photo: A snow leopard.
© Photo : Andrey GilbertThe local fauna mainly includes species widespread in Siberia. Photo: Roe deer.
The local fauna mainly includes species widespread in Siberia. Photo: Roe deer.
© Photo : Andrey GilbertThere are populations of mountain- and steppe-dwelling animals mostly comprising Mongolian species such as the Siberian ibex, the snow leopard, the manul cat, the long-tailed hamster and the Altai marmot. Photo: A mother goat with kid.
There are populations of mountain- and steppe-dwelling animals mostly comprising Mongolian species such as the Siberian ibex, the snow leopard, the manul cat, the long-tailed hamster and the Altai marmot. Photo: A mother goat with kid.