Ecology

17:12, 28.03.2008 | Far East Russia

Russia's first and only maritime nature reserve, located in the waters of Peter the Great Bay in the Sea of Japan in Russia's Far East, marked its 30th anniversary on Monday.

The reserve, established in 1978, has over 2,000 species of sea animals and plants. This includes 117 endangered species.

Included in the list of vulnerable species is the Chinese egret or Swinhoe's egret which has a population estimated at less than 3,000 birds.

The reserve has the world's most southernmost population of Larga seals or spotted seals, which are smaller than harbor seals, but nearly identical in size.

There are a number of whales and dolphins within the waters, including killer whales and sea lions. The waters are also home to tuna, spearfish, starfish, sargassum fish, giant octopuses and tiger sharks.

In the last 30 years there have been more than 120,000 visitors to the reserve.

RIA-Novosti