Natural reserve marks 25 years of founding in Moldova

Chisinau, 02 July /MOLDPRES/ – The Natural Reserve "Padurea Domneasca" (Prince Forest) has reached 25 years since its founding. At present, this is the most representative natural and marsh forest complex in the middle Prut river sector, according to sources from Moldsilva Agency.
The total area of ​​the reserve is 5,736 hectares, of which 4,952 ha are covered with forests. It is located on the territory of two districts, Glodeni and Falesti, on a length of 40 km along the Prut river.
The flora is represented by 31 species of rare plants, 12 of which are included in the Red Book of Moldova, and 19 species of plants with different degrees of danger are registered in the IUCN Red List Categories.
The wildlife of the reserve is equally varied and includes 47 mammalian species, 15 reptiles and amphibians and 159 bird species, of which 21 are included in the rare species category. "Due to the support of foreign partners, there are several international projects on conservation and regeneration of rare plant and animal species, ecological recovery and restoration of biodiversity of meadow ecosystems," says a press release of Moldsilva agency.
The reservation is particularly important through bisons, which inhabited the tourist attraction area since 2005. Currently, there are 7 lambs, two females and five males. The maintenance conditions in Nature Reserve were created in accordance with the World Wide Nature Conservation Strategy (WWF) "European Zimbra Conservation Strategy". Also, thanks to Programme "Cerb" (Deer) and concept of sustainable hunting habitat development, territory of reservation was re-populated with 20 noble deer.
It is the largest reservation as an area of ​​5,920 ha and includes several tourist attractions in the north of Moldova: Cheile Butesti, Stanca Mare, Suta de Movile, Zimbraria, Stejarii seculari, Tara Batlanilor, Eco-tourism Pension "La Fontal" which is a relaxation point for tourists.
The natural reserve was founded by Government Decision on 02 July 1993, based on Balatina and Calinesti forestry fields. Annually, the reserve is visited by about 7 – 8 thousand tourists from both Moldova and abroad.
(Reporter L. Grubii, editor M. Jantovan)