Sookuninga Nature Reserve

{{Short description|Protected area in Estonia}}

{{Infobox protected area

| name = Sookuninga Nature Reserve

| photo =

| photo_width = 240

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| map = Estonia

| map_width = 240

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| location = Estonia

| nearest_city = Pärnu

| coordinates = {{Coord|58|00|24|N|24|45|45|E|region:EE|display=inline,title}}

| area = {{convert|5869|ha|acre|abbr=on}}

| established =

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| embedded = {{Designation list

| embed = yes

| designation1 = Ramsar

| designation1_date = 3 February 2006

| designation1_number = 1748{{Cite web|title=Sookuninga Nature Reserve|website=Ramsar Sites Information Service|url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/1748|accessdate=25 April 2018}}}}

}}

Sookuninga Nature Reserve is a nature reserve situated in south-western Estonia, in Pärnu County.

Sookuninga nature reserve is situated on the Latvian border of Estonia and comprises a large area of wetlands and woodlands. Sookuninga nature reserve and the Ziemeļu bogs protected area across the border together make out the North Livonian trans-boundary Ramsar protected wetland site. Together, the two sites form one of the largest natural peat bog areas in the Baltic states and constitute an important fresh-water reservoir. Sookuninga is home to many species, including large mammals like Gray wolf, Eurasian lynx and Brown bear. The site is furthermore a refuge for many unusual or threatened species of birds, including three species of eagle. Traditionally, the area has been sparsely populated due to its inaccessibility, and therefore also used as a hiding-place during times of war. Facilities for visitors include a bird-watching tower and a hiking trail.{{cite book | title = Protected Natural Objects of Pärnu County| year = 2012 | page = 17 | publisher = Estonian Environmental Board | url=http://www.keskkonnaamet.ee/public/Keskkonnaharidus/trykised/Parnumaa_eng.pdf }}{{cite web |url= http://www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-pubs-notes-anno-estonia/main/ramsar/1-30-168%5E16412_4000_0__ |title= The annotated Ramsar list - Estonia|author= |date= |work= |publisher= The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands|accessdate=23 February 2013}}