Lesser Kurils Zakaznik

Lesser Kurils Zakaznik is a federal-level Zakaznik or "State Nature Preserve" in the disputed Lesser Kuril Chain, administered by Sakhalin Oblast, Russia, but also formally part of Nemuro Subprefecture, Japan. The preserve was established in 1983, in accordance with the Japan-Soviet Joint Communiqué of 10 October 1973. The protected area of includes a marine area of.

Description

The Zakaznik encompasses areas of Shikotan in addition to Anuchina, Polonsky Island, Tanfiliev Island, Yuri, and Zelyony in the Habomai Islands. The protected marine zone extends to one nautical mile from the coast. The Zakaznik helps conserve marine mammals, Western Pacific harbor seals, and sea otters, as well as the Shikotan vole, red-crowned crane, colonies of seabirds, wintering waterfowl, and local plant communities.