April 27, 2021

Squirrelly Behavior in Barnaul


Squirrelly Behavior in Barnaul
Let's just hope they don't start releasing moose into the park next (Sorry, Bullwinkle).  Andre Svistunov, unsplash.com

Five squirrels were released from the Barnaul Zoo into a city park this past week as part of an initiative to repopulate wildlife into the urban environment. The fluffy critters were thrilled to explore their new habitat, but perhaps one got a little too carried away. 

It's impossible to say whether this was a personal vendetta (perhaps the journalist was the infamous Boris Badenov?) or if the squirrel just thought that they would be an intriguing obstacle to climb all over; nevertheless, a reporter's iPhone and notepad were taken down in the altercation, as you can see in this hilarious video. Thankfully, both parties were unharmed, and the squirrel scurried off to live a life free of crime. 

Interestingly enough, while most American parks are chock full of squirrels (stocked there in the nineteenth century, so it turns out), this is not always the case in some Russian cities. Prior to this event, there were actually no squirrels in this particular park in Barnaul. 

To help make the new park residents feel more at home, authorities built them specially-designed squirrel houses and feeding platforms, which came stocked with squirrel-friendly dried fruit and nuts. 

It's worth noting that this isn't the first time in recent events that an animal has come after a Russian reporter either. We sense a conspiracy...

 

You Might Also Like

City Spotlight: Barnaul
  • February 21, 2021

City Spotlight: Barnaul

A carjacking museum, Soviet statues, and Hollywood letters: let's take a closer look at one of Russia's best-hidden gems, the city of Barnaul. 
Running Away with the Story
  • April 05, 2021

Running Away with the Story

In Moscow, a Golden Retriever stole the show during a news broadcast — by stealing the microphone. 
Barbies, Oral Health, and Squirrels
  • March 25, 2021

Barbies, Oral Health, and Squirrels

In this week's Odder News, a new Russian Barbie, Russians need to work on their dental hygiene, and squirrels attack in Vyborg.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas
October 01, 2013

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.

 
93 Untranslatable Russian Words
December 01, 2008

93 Untranslatable Russian Words

Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.

Moscow and Muscovites
November 26, 2013

Moscow and Muscovites

Vladimir Gilyarovsky's classic portrait of the Russian capital is one of Russians’ most beloved books. Yet it has never before been translated into English. Until now! It is a spectactular verbal pastiche: conversation, from gutter gibberish to the drawing room; oratory, from illiterates to aristocrats; prose, from boilerplate to Tolstoy; poetry, from earthy humor to Pushkin. 

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka
November 01, 2012

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.

Murder and the Muse
December 12, 2016

Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.

The Moscow Eccentric
December 01, 2016

The Moscow Eccentric

Advance reviewers are calling this new translation "a coup" and "a remarkable achievement." This rediscovered gem of a novel by one of Russia's finest writers explores some of the thorniest issues of the early twentieth century.

A Taste of Russia
November 01, 2012

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955