The majestic mountains of Troodos keep many secrets and natural treasures, and among the most amazing - Cyprus mouflons. Wild mountain rams, a symbol of Cyprus, were once on the verge of extinction. Today, thanks to the efforts of caring people, they can be seen in the natural habitat.
If you want to enjoy silence, nature and a sense of primordiality, the reserve of muflons is exactly the place.
Who is a mufton?
Cyprus mufton is endemic, the rarest species of a mountain ram. It is believed that his closest ancestors were wild sheep, brought to the island in the Neolithic era and, eventually adapted to mountain conditions.
The mouflons are incredibly shy, because they are not so easy to meet in nature.
Once there are only a few dozen left of them. This happened for a number of reasons: hunting, lack of food in a hot time (the basis of the diet of mouflons is grass and young shoots), the struggle of farmers with them. Today, the population of mufflons is not only saved from extinction, but also gradually grows, these proud animals live and multiply in natural conditions, and not only in reserves.
Where is the reserve?
The heart of the guarded zone and the best place for a guaranteed (albeit at some distance) meeting with muffins is the forest station Stavros Tis Psokas (Stavros Tis PSOKAS). It is comfortably located in the depths of the vast Paphos forest, the largest on the island. Already the road here is a separate adventure: the pine -like asphalt serpentine soars upwards, opening the breathless panorama, then dives into the shady gorges.
How does the visit go?
It’s worth a reservation right away: the reserve is staring TIS PSOKAS - this is not a zoo in the usual sense. This is a specially fenced, rather extensive area of the forest, where the couls live in conditions as close as possible to natural. Only a strong mesh fence separates animals from visitors, which allows to observe them without interference. Specially laid along the fencing of the track make it possible to consider these shy creatures without disturbing them. Take with you water, comfortable shoes and a warm jacket - it is cool in the mountains, even in the summer.
Why is it worth going?
Because such places give a feeling of real Cyprus - not tourist, but natural. This is a chance to see the rarest animal, which is a living heritage of the island, and to realize the importance of a respect for nature. Agree, every meeting with a rare creation in its natural environment is always small, but real magic. These are the impressions that remain in memory for a long time, warming the soul with a quiet joy of discovery.
Place on the map
This publication is part of the VK30 project, dedicated to the anniversary of the "Herald of Cyprus", which is 30 years old this year.
Photos and material prepared by Ekaterina Andreeva
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