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

Life Stories: Original Fiction By Russian Authors

Life Stories: Original Fiction By Russian Authors

The Life Stories collection is a nice introduction to contemporary Russian fiction: many of the 19 authors featured here have won major Russian literary prizes and/or become bestsellers. These are life-affirming stories of love, family, hope, rebirth, mystery and imagination, masterfully translated by some of the best Russian-English translators working today. The selections reassert the power of Russian literature to affect readers of all cultures in profound and lasting ways. Best of all, 100% of the profits from the sale of this book are going to benefit Russian hospice—not-for-profit care for fellow human beings who are nearing the end of their own life stories.
A Taste of Chekhov

A Taste of Chekhov

This compact volume is an introduction to the works of Chekhov the master storyteller, via nine stories spanning the last twenty years of his life.
Faith & Humor: Notes from Muscovy

Faith & Humor: Notes from Muscovy

A book that dares to explore the humanity of priests and pilgrims, saints and sinners, Faith & Humor has been both a runaway bestseller in Russia and the focus of heated controversy – as often happens when a thoughtful writer takes on sacred cows. The stories, aphorisms, anecdotes, dialogues and adventures in this volume comprise an encyclopedia of modern Russian Orthodoxy, and thereby of Russian life.
Murder and the Muse

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.
Maria's War: A Soldier's Autobiography

Maria's War: A Soldier's Autobiography

This astonishingly gripping autobiography by the founder of the Russian Women’s Death Battallion in World War I is an eye-opening documentary of life before, during and after the Bolshevik Revolution.
Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

Stargorod is a mid-sized provincial city that exists only in Russian metaphorical space. It has its roots in Gogol, and Ilf and Petrov, and is a place far from Moscow, but close to Russian hearts. It is a place of mystery and normality, of provincial innocence and Black Earth wisdom. Strange, inexplicable things happen in Stargorod. So do good things. And bad things. A lot like life everywhere, one might say. Only with a heavy dose of vodka, longing and mystery.
Survival Russian

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.
The Samovar Murders

The Samovar Murders

The murder of a poet is always more than a murder. When a famous writer is brutally stabbed on the campus of Moscow’s Lumumba University, the son of a recently deposed African president confesses, and the case assumes political implications that no one wants any part of.
Fearful Majesty

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

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
PO Box 567
Montpelier VT 05601-0567

802-223-4955