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The fabulous natural beauty of the Turukhansk region, home not only to numerous rare fish species, but also to a variety of animals and birds. It's no wonder this land of waterfalls and mountains is considered a unique place worldwide. It's even home to many endangered species of animals, birds, and fish. Therefore, taking a rafting trip through the wild taiga is a dream for many people. To enjoy the delights of fishing and goose hunting, and to see what life on the planet would be like if humans hadn't begun to destroy everything.
What kind of inhabitants live in this wonderful land?
After landing by helicopter at the trailhead, guests can encounter a wide variety of wild taiga inhabitants. The reserve is home to approximately half a million wild deer. A rare species, the Putorana snow sheep, still survives in the highlands. It's worth noting that they have been living in this beautiful world for over 15,000 years.
The plateaus are home to a large number of furry animals: sables, foxes, hares, and squirrels. Flying squirrels are also present. Moose are a common sight among larger animals. Sometimes, while rafting along rivers in search of trophy fish, you can spot a bear from afar. or a wolverine. And somewhere you can encounter a wild cat – a lynx – resting in tall trees.
The Krasnoyarsk Territory's birdlife is diverse. In addition to various species of ducks, geese, brant geese, wood grouse, and black grouse, the reserve also boasts gyrfalcons and white-tailed eagles.
These are endangered bird species listed in the Red Book. Besides those listed above, other species of animals and birds can be found in the taiga.
And if you're lucky, capture the reserve's inhabitants on video or photo. Wild animals are very shy and tend to avoid humans. This is possible when rafting down rivers, when a considerable distance separates them from people.
The aquatic world of the reserve
Many noble fish species are prohibited from being caught in the Putorana River, including sturgeon and sterlet. Therefore, when catching the king of Siberian rivers, the taimen, to avoid harming the environment and preserving endangered species, the principle of catch and release applies. Incidentally, for catching the largest, heaviest predator, anglers receive a commemorative prize. And after a photo op with the giant, the fish returns to its underwater world.
Fishing on a floating boat is carried out in a special, gentle manner to avoid harming the fish. Locations are chosen with fewer trees, rocks, and snags. Large predators fight anglers to the very end. Therefore, it's important to be especially careful with your catch.
How giants are weighed and photographed
Consider that if you're hooking a large taimen weighing around 10 kg, it's likely several decades old. When catching a giant, never grab it by the gills or jaws. The fish may not be able to support its own weight and die from ruptured spinal ligaments. Weigh the fish carefully, wrapping it in a special cloth.
To take a photo with a large predator you need to:
- Take photos above the water, holding the fish in your hands from both sides, near the head and tail, with the predator positioned horizontally above the ground.
- When taking photos from the shore, hold the fish as described above, but the angler should at least kneel down. This way, if the fish starts to twitch and falls out of your hands, you can be sure it won't be seriously injured.
After weighing and photographing, the trophy is released. However, you have the opportunity to enjoy delicious Siberian delicacies from a variety of healthy fish: char, lenok, and grayling. Sugudai, a dish especially popular, is also available. You can also smoke trophy specimens right on the shore. Therefore, a trophy tour of the Putorana River will be a memory you'll remember for a lifetime.
