On May 17, within the framework of the large-scale Bear Rescue Program implemented by the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC), a meeting with journalists took place.

Since 2016, FPWC, in cooperation with its international partner, International Animal Rescue, has been implementing a large-scale bear rescue program in the Republic of Armenia. Studies conducted by the Foundation have shown that around 80 brown bears listed in the Red Book are being kept in captivity across Armenia. These animals are held in makeshift cages near restaurants, gas stations, hotels, and private properties, often for entertainment purposes, without veterinary care, proper nutrition, or species-appropriate living conditions.

Since November 2017 to the present, the Foundation has rescued 15 brown bears. Some of them have found shelter in the 5-hectare open enclosure of the Yerevan Zoo, while others have been transferred to the Wildlife Rescue Center (WRC) for further rehabilitation and treatment. The construction of the Wildlife Rescue Center continues to be supported by FPWC’s main partner, VivaCell-MTS.

The majority of the rescued bears suffer from serious psychophysiological disorders and behavioral abnormalities, which are the result of being kept in inappropriate conditions for many years and receiving improper care.

Two of the rescued bears, Zangak and Bambak, were brought to the Center in May of last year after the Lori regional environmental inspectorate alerted the Foundation about two orphaned cubs found near the Pambak River. After spending about one year at the Center, Zangak and Bambak are now ready to be released into the wild, which is expected to take place in the coming days. According to veterinarians, the cubs are healthy and capable of independent life; however, their movements in the wild will be monitored for the next 12 months using radio tracking collars.

“Rehabilitation of bears that have been kept in captivity and have suffered deformities requires serious professional work and investment, and does not guarantee full recovery. In this regard, both the Zoo and the Foundation have a strict position: we are against keeping any wild animal in captivity by individuals. This should only be done within the framework of a zoo, which must include an educational component,” said FPWC founder Ruben Khachatryan.

“We have been working with FPWC for a long time on the bear rescue program in Armenia and are ready to intensify cooperation with Armenia’s new government to provide a long-term and sustainable solution that ensures the welfare of bears in the country. This year, we plan to increase our financial contributions, part of which will likely be directed to the Yerevan Zoo to expand the bear sanctuary,” said Alan Knight, Director of International Animal Rescue.

“Our cooperation with FPWC continues to grow at a rapid pace, and thanks to this, we also have such a partner as International Animal Rescue. I would also like to add that around the same period, work began on amendments to the RA Law ‘On Fauna,’ which we expect will be submitted to the National Assembly for approval in the fall. The law предусматривает strict regulations for keeping wild animals and introduces a system of state payments through a dedicated fund. The state will stand by this program and support the Foundation in working with individuals who keep bears illegally, encouraging them to voluntarily surrender the animals, thus eliminating the practice of keeping wild animals,” said Deputy Minister of Nature Protection of the RA, Khachik Hakobyan.

This year, the bear rescue program will continue, and during 2018–2019 it is planned to rescue an additional 30–40 brown bears before the final adoption of the amendments to the RA Law “On Fauna,” which will allow for a comprehensive and sustainable resolution of the issue.