The Gyumri Zoo located in the forepart of Ani district has appeared in a terrible situation. Because of the shortage of money, the animals are hungry, also there is a big problem of water to give to them. Some of the animals, lynx and monkeys, temporarily are moved to the Zoo of other cities, particularly to Armavir, and only 3 lions remained in Gyumri: mother Mary with two cubs: Zita and Gita, and the bears: couple Masha and Misha. The owner Styopa Vardanyan, who is engaged in this sphere for 30 years, has brought the animals from the Russian Federation, thinking that Gyumri would also have a Zoo. Working in Gyumri since 2010, now he is lost, he does not know how to do to save the animals from hunger.
In an interview with Aravot.am, he was directly pleading the government to take care of the animals. “Now, the animals are in very poor condition, we apply to our government and the Ministry of Environment to help us move the animals to the zoo in Yerevan. Winter is coming, and it is possible that they will not survive. I had talked to Mr. Khachatryan from the Yerevan Zoo and asked his to give a place in their zoo, but he said that he has no way to accommodate these animals. There are transportation costs and feeding problems, which currently I am unable to take care of them. I plead our government to intervene, maybe, in this case, they will take our animals. The Yerevan Zoo has only 8 lions and if we give our 3 lions, I do not know whether they will fit in … We are not selling our animals, we are forced to donate. I cannot afford to keep them,” said Styopa Vardanyan.
To the question of whether he has made calculations on how much money is required per day for the complete feeding of these five animals, our interlocutor said that every day each of them eats 8-10 kilograms of meat, which means 24-25 kilograms of meat per day, the cost is about 25 -30 thousand drams. In other words, a 1,000 dollar per month is needed to take care of them. “We have applied to the whole world for help, now the Moscow Zoo wants to come and take them, they called me today to come, transport and save the animals, but to be honest, it is a bit shame that our country cannot keep these two animals, it is a shameful situation. There was a flood in Georgia, they did not ask for help, I am shy, I have no money expectations, I do not want to do business, I just want someone to take the animals and take a good care of them. The lion calves are born in Gyumri, we have pampered them since birth, my son was feeding them with his own hand, they are grown up, should we give them to Russians. What a helpless situation,” says Styopa Vardanyan.
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According to him, if there is a little bit of state support, they will keep their animals, they have experts and a veterinarian. In his words, all the zoos in the marzes are in a poor condition. Styopa Vardanyan state that he had applied to the marz and municipal authorities, but the latter had brought an excuse that they have no budget. “Just a government decision is necessary and a little money, it is not a big sum, if they provide 1 billion drams, it will be enough for 10 years. I do not want to give my animals out. It is a matter of prestige, isn’t it?” To the question of whether wealthy people do not help by sending at least a few kilograms of meat, for example, general Manvel Grigoryan or Gagik Tsarukyan, who are fond of animals, our interlocutor said that they have helped. “Once, General Manvel had helped, I just do not want them to leave the city of Gyumri, there should be a state approach, a proper land should be provided for these animals, now my friend temporarily has provided this area to station the wagons.”
Our interlocutor says that the zoos never generate profit, if there is no state approach, they will not survive. “I thought, if there are zoos in Yerevan, Armavir and Charentsavan, I would also like Gyumri to have one, Gyumri children also need to have a zoo, therefore I established a zoo here, I had one in Russia. Now my plea is to save them. I apply to Hovik Abrahamyan, help, please, Prime Minister, to save the animals not to die of hunger.” A Zoo staff member Hovhannes Madoyan said that they are unable to feed the animals 2-3 times a day, and if they are not full, they cannot stand the winter. According to him, they are even unable to buy hay to lay under the animals so that the latter do not stand on the cold metal and get cold. The employee also complained that there is also a water problem, they carry water in buckets so that the animals are not strangled. He urged the residents not to waste potatoes and the fruit peels but to bring them to the zoo for the bears to eat and not die of hunger.
Nune AREVSHATYAN
Good evening,
Please provide the update to what’s happened to the animals . Today in Daily Mail( UK paper) I saw an article with the same information about this situation.
Why the animals haven’t been taken to Moscow Zoo as was promised?
The animals have to rescued as soon as possible. It’s outrageous . Just shameful.
I’m looking forward to hear what is being done to change this horrible situation.
Thank you
Dear Elena! 2 bears replaced to Yerevan zoo, where the situation is much better. 3 lions are still in Gyumri.
https://en.aravot.am/2016/01/25/173928/