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Project sites: South Kamchatka State Sanctuary

Established in 1983, the 225,000 ha. (2,250 km2) sanctuary includes one of the more significant lake ecosystems on the entire peninsula, and is of particular importance for the conservation of its prime coastal marine habitat. The sanctuary rises from the shores of the south-eastern tip of the peninsula to the tops of four active volcanoes. Its vegetation can be characterized as being shrub forest and mountainous in character. The flora of southern Kamchatka is diverse with 718 recorded species, 85 of which are considered rare. The sanctuary's diversity is particularly notable due to the presence of both Kamchatkan and Kurile Island species.

Kurilsky Lake is the most significant sockeye salmon spawning lake on the peninsula. It is estimated that up to 1.7 million fish use the lake and its tributaries for spawning. The tremendous influx of salmon into the lake and its small tributary rivers makes the lake and its watershed one of the Russian Far East's most important feeding grounds for the brown bear. The high concentration of sockeye salmon in Kurilsky Lake also results in one of the world's most numerous winter concentrations of raptors. Some winters, their number reaches 2,500 individuals;

       Cape Lopatka is also an important resting area for migratory birds on the eastern Pacific flyway.

      The reserve's near shore marine habitat supports the most significant population of sea otters (Enhydra lutris) in the Eastern Pacific, numbering approximately 900 individuals but increasing up to 3000 animals during summer migration, and over 1,000 endangered Steller sea lions. The SKSS is now also administered by the Ministry of Natural Resources and managed out of the KSBR office.

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