The Ust-Botama Bisonarium
The Ust-Botama Bisonarium was established in 2006 to set up the Asian population of wood bison (wood buffalo) in Siberia.
The Ust-Botama wood buffalo farm is located on a cape formed by the Lena and Botama rivers and is a subdivision of the Lena Pillars Nature Park.
Bisons used to live in Siberia many millennia ago. Most of them became extinct about 5,000 years ago and some moved to North America. And now the ancestors of these majestic animals have returned to Siberia fr om Canada.
Thirty Canadian wood bison were brought in the first shipment donated by Canada’s Wood Buffalo National Park, then there were two more imports.
Over the seven years of existence, about 30 calves have been born on the farm. Today, more than 120 wood bison live in the Ust-Botama Bisonarium. Having got acclimatized, the bison feel great in their new place; they have become stronger and tougher than their Canadian fellows. Therefore, for the tourists’ safety, they are allowed to move around the farm only on special routes with the farm staff only.
The Ust-Botama Bisonarium has developed several areas of tourism: research and business, event, ecological, fishing, and rafting tourism. Various research conferences and meetings are held on the territory of the farm.
A traditional Yakut homestead was built on the farm, wh ere the traditional festival of Yhekh is celebrated every year.
The farm has developed an educational trail “Wood Bison Farm” which provides tours in summer time.
There is excellent fishing on the Botama River which is full with lenok, grayling, cisco, pike, perch, dace and other river fishes. You can only use spinning and fishing rods for fishing.
Rafting on the Botama River is one of the most popular types of tourism on the farm.
Not far from the farm, there is an “Ust-Buotama” tourist camp located on the bank of the Lena River.
Bisons used to live in Siberia many millennia ago. Most of them became extinct about 5,000 years ago and some moved to North America. And now the ancestors of these majestic animals have returned to Siberia fr om Canada.
Thirty Canadian wood bison were brought in the first shipment donated by Canada’s Wood Buffalo National Park, then there were two more imports.
Over the seven years of existence, about 30 calves have been born on the farm. Today, more than 120 wood bison live in the Ust-Botama Bisonarium. Having got acclimatized, the bison feel great in their new place; they have become stronger and tougher than their Canadian fellows. Therefore, for the tourists’ safety, they are allowed to move around the farm only on special routes with the farm staff only.
The Ust-Botama Bisonarium has developed several areas of tourism: research and business, event, ecological, fishing, and rafting tourism. Various research conferences and meetings are held on the territory of the farm.
A traditional Yakut homestead was built on the farm, wh ere the traditional festival of Yhekh is celebrated every year.
The farm has developed an educational trail “Wood Bison Farm” which provides tours in summer time.
There is excellent fishing on the Botama River which is full with lenok, grayling, cisco, pike, perch, dace and other river fishes. You can only use spinning and fishing rods for fishing.
Rafting on the Botama River is one of the most popular types of tourism on the farm.
Not far from the farm, there is an “Ust-Buotama” tourist camp located on the bank of the Lena River.