Published on: 2026-10-08
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
There are 2,635 species of animals living in the Moscow part of the Elk Island. Scientists came to this conclusion based on the results of the first part of a large-scale ecological and biological survey.
Among the inhabitants are 80 species of birds, 32 species of mammals, nine species of fish, six species of amphibians, four species of reptiles, and more than 2,500 species of insects. 172 representatives of the fauna are listed in the Red Book of Moscow, including 12 species of mammals: water vole, Eurasian beaver, pygmy mouse, mountain hare, white-breasted hedgehog, water bat, reddish evening bat, forest bat, bicolored bat, brown long-eared bat, forest marten, and weasel.
Losiny Ostrov National Park remains a unique natural complex: a large forested area located within a multimillion metropolitan city, its Moscow part occupies about 3,300 hectares — approximately 25 percent of the park’s total area.
Who you can meet on a walk
Among the endangered species inhabiting the Moscow part of the park is the pine marten, listed in the capital’s Red Book as a species with a declining population. The pygmy mouse, which does not exceed seven centimeters in length, also lives here.
In addition, zoologists have noticed beavers and weasels—both species are included in Moscow’s Red Book. On the territory of “Losiny Ostrov”, there are also white hares and brown hares, which are under protection. The main symbol of the park is moose: as of 2025, there are 24 individuals living here.
Specialists Department of Natural Resources Use and Environmental Protection remind that when encountering a wild animal it is important to remember safety.
“Encountering a moose in a natural area is not common, but it does happen. To ensure that only pleasant memories remain from such an encounter, one should not approach the animal too closely. Additionally, it is best not to make sudden movements, shout, or try to chase the moose away. The best course of action is to step aside without turning your back on the moose, wait calmly, and allow it to leave,” the agency staff said.
Experts warn that wild animals should not be fed human food. It is harmful to them. You should not try to pet, catch, or take a close-up photo with the animal. It may bite or scratch: city dwellers risk contracting rabies and other infections. When encountering forest inhabitants, you should not run away, as a person is perceived by the predator as prey, triggering the chase instinct. Additionally, one should avoid staring directly into their eyes. For many animals, such behavior is a signal of threat or a challenge. You should also not corner the animal. If it has nowhere to escape, it will defend itself to the last. It is also not recommended to approach the young. Even if it seems that the baby has been abandoned, there is almost certainly a mother nearby who can be extremely aggressive.
When encountering an injured wild animal, you should call the Moscow Government’s unified hotline at: +7 495 777-77-77.
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