October turned out to be especially eventful for the Protection Department of the Commander Islands Nature and Biosphere Reserve. This month there were several tasks at once: assistance in scientific research, naval patrol and surveys, repair and maintenance of trail houses, preparation for the coming winter and, of course, ground patrols.

In October, a team of 8 rangers walked more than 600 km, and ATVs  allowed them to inspect 1,345 km of Bering Island.

Guard patrol route in October

“The task to cover the maximum number of routes by patrolling and to strengthen control of the protected area during the traditionally hunting period has been completed. The rangers took an active part in conducting counts of reindeer migrating from the southern high-mountainous areas to the northern part of Bering Island,” said Vsevolod Yakovlev, Deputy Director for Conservation.

The department staff provided invaluable assistance in scientific work. They helped to complete the collection of samples for the study of harbor seals - animals included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation. The patrolling of the protected water area was combined with marine surveys of migratory and wintering birds and whales. During the month, employees covered 450 km.  Every year, the migration of cetaceans in the waters of the Commander Islands takes place along the western coast of Bering Island. Therefore, this is where the main part of the route ran.

Of course, now all the thoughts of the CINBR team are about the winter period, so the inspectors went to strengthen and complete the unfinished infrastructure for the upcoming storms and strong winds. Then it was necessary to promptly prepare the cabins: to deliver fuel, stock up food, the necessary equipment and inventory. Two employees took up another duty in Buyan Bay cabin for 45 days.