Elk farm in Kostroma: excursions, moose milk. State natural reserve "Sumarokovsky"

Elk farm in Kostroma is one of the most unusual and popular tourist attractions of the region. This farm is located on the territory of Krasnoselsky district, near the village of Sumarokovo. To date, the farm contains 40 adults.

A bit of history

Kostroma Farm is the only farm in the world specializing in the cultivation of moose. It was organized in 1963 at the direction of Nikita Khrushchev. The famous reformer of agriculture decided that, like cows, elk could very well serve the good of man. He was engaged in the organization of a new unusual farm, AP Mikhailov. He also became his first manager. Initially, the elk farm in Kostroma was organized with the expectation of 800 animals. We started a new business from a small one. In the first year only two lobots were grown on the farm.

Unfortunately, a few months after the organization of the farm N. Khrushchev decided to give the first domesticated animals to the then leader of Yugoslavia Tito. The head of the farm, AP Mikhailov, even tried to hide the elk in the forest. However, they were still found (with the help of a military helicopter). As a result, the farm workers had to organize the business from the very beginning.

Now the small elks were collected in the wild throughout the Kostroma region. Six years after the start of the work, the farm already contained five domesticated animals. By 1970, the first litter was also obtained on the farm.

Technologies were developed for keeping moose not on the Sumarokovskaya farm itself. Kostromichi only continued the work of their colleagues from the Pechora farm of the same specialization. Initially, for the domestication of moose biologists used a variety of techniques. In the end, it turned out that good results can be obtained only when these animals are kept in conditions of semi-will.

Today the moose farm in Kostroma is organized in such a way that adults can go into the wild at any time. However, not one animal has done so yet. The moose are very well looked after in this farm. And of course, forest giants are responsible for this people love, trust and devotion.

Where can I get an excursion

An elk farm is located in Kostroma, on the territory of such a reserve, as "Sumarokovsky". Animals in the household, of course, are domesticated, but in any case they continue to be semi-wild. Therefore, to visit the territory of the farm, and even the wildlife sanctuary, without an experienced guide is highly not recommended even by car. Otherwise, the matter may end tragically. Not so long ago in the economy was recorded a case of death of tourists-motorists, met on a forest road with a wild moose.

It's easiest to get an excursion to the Sumarokovskaya farm either in Kostroma itself or in other large settlements of the region. Tours are sold to this farm and in many cities of nearby regions. If you want, you can also easily get to the administration of the farm and get a tour on the spot. Visitors Sumarokovskaya losferma takes all-the-year-round, from 10 to 15 hours daily.

How to behave in the household

In order to ensure the safety of tourists and the moose themselves, the administration of the reserve has developed a number of rules that must be adhered to on the territory of the moose farm. So, for example:

1. It is forbidden to take pets in the farm.

2. You can not give loses brought with them a treat. Especially for this purpose, tour guides give out carrots to all visitors.

3. In no event should one approach the locks that are near the route. Photographing animals that are not in the pen is allowed only at a distance.

In winter, the moose of the Kostroma farm are transferred to a special plot. Before you go on an excursion, you should call (8 4942) 35-94-33 for details. In autumn, summer and spring, animals are kept directly at the main base of the Sumarokovskaya farm. Actually, the administration itself is located in the city of Kostroma, address: Mira Avenue, 128A.

What you should know about

To the village of Sumarokovo from Kostroma, if desired, you can get not only by car, but also by taxi. It will cost quite a lot - about 800 rubles. However, using the services of a taxi driver, those who wish to inspect the moose farm can easily avoid all sorts of unnecessary problems. The fact is that it is quite difficult to find Sumarokovo in the forests of the Kostroma region. So, for example, experienced tourists do not advise you about the location of Kostroma. Locals for some reason usually indicate visitors to another large village with the same name, located in Susaninsky district. In extreme cases, in order to visit such an interesting place, like a moose farm in Kostroma, it is worth asking the road to the village of Gridino. You can also use the map of the region or navigate.

How to get to the farm on your car

Where exactly is the elk farm (Kostroma) located? How to get to this most interesting sight, for sure many tourists would like to know. From the center of Kostroma to this farm it is necessary to go about 20 km. In the warm season, you should first move along the street. Soviet, and then - along the Kineshma Highway. When you leave the city, you must choose a direction to Poddubnoe village. In this village behind the first houses should be turned to the left, to the side with. Ikonnikovo, and then to the right, to Krasnoselskaya road. Then through with. Semenkov needs to move to Gridino (on the bridge, past a large landfill). After 1,3 km, turn right to the gravel road. Approximately a kilometer before the farm, you can see a log arch that symbolizes the entrance to the farm.

In winter, you do not need to turn off the gravel road after the settlement of Gridino. At this time of year, you should continue to move in a straight line, past an abandoned quarry and cemetery, and then - through a pine forest to a transverse clearing (about 3 km). You need to turn left. After a kilometer you can see the first elk feeders.

Sumarokovskaya loser farm (Kostroma): reviews of holidaymakers

Most tourists who visited this unusual farm are told about it with undisguised delight. On the territory of the farm you can see the corral of adult animals, as well as elk "kindergarten". Directly in front of the farm is a large free parking. Also nearby is, judging by the reviews of tourists, a fairly clean log bathroom. Tickets for visiting the farm can be purchased at the nearby building - at the ticket office. Many tourists praise this economy, including the fact that large families can inspect it for free.

Excursion to the elk farm in Kostroma allows, according to many tourists, to get as close to the wild as possible. Nowhere else in the world can you look at moose living in almost natural conditions. The survey lasts an average of one hour. Carrot for elks is given to tourists free of charge. Photo and video shooting on the farm can be done completely freely. In addition to moose, there are two spotted deer on the territory of the farm , with which many make an interesting selfie.

Of the shortcomings of the economy, tourists generally note only the lack of soap in the bathroom, the presence of a huge number of mosquitoes and too short duration of the excursion. Also not particularly good reviews deserved and bumpy road to the farm (at the very end), the repair of which, apparently no one has ever done.

State preserve "Sumarokovsky": activities

The main and main task of the Kostroma farm itself is to get moose milk. This product, by the way, can be purchased including on excursions. The most important direction of the whole zakaznik activity is, of course, nature protection. Sumarokovskaya loser farm creates all the conditions necessary to increase the number of these forest giants in the surrounding forests, and also to preserve their gene pool. Are conducted in the economy and various kinds of scientific research.

The total area of the reserve is 36 176 ha. At the same time, half of it is covered with dense forests. The list of animals that live in the reserve includes 43 varieties. In addition to elk, wild boars, foxes, badgers, ermines, etc. are found here. Also, more than 176 species of birds inhabit the reserve, 31 of which are listed in the Red Book.

Moose care on the farm

Animals older than two years are kept in the Sumarokov household in a separate enclosure fenced only on three sides. For the young, a special "kindergarten" is assigned. From mothers, elks are taken immediately after birth. For kids Kostroma losferma buys a special feed mix containing all the necessary nutrients, vitamins and trace elements.

No suffering from weaning from the mother of the moose is experienced. It's all about the psychology of these forest animals. For a small laden mum is only the one who feeds him. In farm conditions, therefore, it is the employee responsible for distributing the mixture. Approximately the same applies to moose. For their cubs, they take those who take their milk from them. That is, milkmaids working in the farm.

Moose milk composition

This valuable product is delivered from the Sumarokovskaya farm mainly only to the sanatorium located near them (also on the territory of the reserve). I. Susanina. From cow to chemical composition, elk milk is significantly different. So, for example, it contains on average twice as many amino acids. Fat in the composition of this product is 10%, and protein - 8%. Much more than in cow, in elk milk contains micronutrients. It is of particular value because it has a high lysozyme activity (40-60 μg / ml). This product costs about 1000 rubles per liter.

Use of moose milk

This useful product is used mainly for the treatment of gastric ulcer. It is noticed that after taking a course at the sanatorium named after M.Sh. I. Susanin using elk milk is fully cured up to 95% of patients. In addition to stomach ulcers, this product can be used for radiation sickness, cytostatic dysbiosis, duodenal diseases.

Horn of Elk: Sale

During the season, only one elk can give a total of 100-500 liters of milk (depends on age and other reasons). In this case, the course of treatment, for example, the same peptic ulcer involves the use of only about 10-12 liters. That is, only from one animal can you get the amount of product that is needed to alleviate the condition of the order of 10-50 patients.

Undoubtedly, milk is the most valuable product sold by the farm. However, of course, not the only one. Horns - this is also what the Sumarokovskaya loser farm (Kostroma) sells. Of course, no one cuts them out with animals. Moose themselves lose their horns in the period from November to December. After that they begin to grow new. There are horns only in moose males. In the wild with their help animals protect themselves from predators, and also claim their own territorial rights.

Use the elk's horns, for example, in the interior, as an ornament. Also of them make all kinds of beautiful souvenirs. You can buy some such trinket (as well as the horns themselves), by the way, in the farm itself, in a small shop.

Exact address and prices for the excursion

Thus, the location of the director's office of such an interesting sight, as the only elk farm in Russia, is Kostroma. The address of the farm itself is as follows: Kostroma Region, Krasnoselsky District, Sumarokovo Village. Actually, the excursion itself, purchased directly on the farm, is very inexpensive - 150 rubles. For an adult and 100 rubles. for a child.