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Four malnourished inhabitants of Gyumri’s private zoo will be moved soon from Armenia to Romania, Panorama.am learned from environmentalist Silva Adamyan.

After receiving information about the poor condition of the animals about three months ago,  S. Adamyan and a group of environmental volunteers launched a Facebook campaign looking for people who might help feed and care for the zoo beasts and if possible also transport them to another country. Two bears – Masha and Misha, and two lions are at the zoo.

The group of volunteers in Gyumri is led by Arsen Vardanyan. From abroad, assistance came from  Armenian Environmental Network and its coordinator Seda Ozbenian.   

The environmentalists recently managed to obtain some money and provide food for the zoo animals, thanks to Arsen. He has regularly posted photos of zoo inhabitants on social media.

“We spent a small sum of money in the past few months to feed the animals. Arsen has done a huge amount of work in order. In addition to food, we heat the enclosures, laid straw on the floor and cared for the animals. He has done the work that no one else was going to undertake,” Adamyan said.   

Gyumri’s mini zoo is a private zoo founded in 2010. Its director, Stepan Vardanyan, has serious health problems and cannot care for the zoo animals anymore as he lacks funds. 

“Stepan Vardanyan has signed a document giving his consent for the animals to be moved to Romania,” Ms. Adamyan said.

In her words, the volunteers have found a foundation willing to assist with the beasts’ transportation.  An animal rehabilitation center will look after them in Romania.

In a story published on January 19, The Daily Mail called the Gyumri zoo “the world’s saddest zoo”. Ms. Adamyan said the story does not describe the present situation because the animals currently live in relatively better conditions.

“They came here two months ago. It is unclear why they addressed the problem now that a solution has already been found. But I should say that we have received over 1,000 online responses after the article, with many people expressing their readiness to help the animals,” she said.

S. Adamyan added that Armenian Ministry of Nature Protection also expressed a willingness to help deal with the issue. Besides, the ministry will now consider making a list of local private zoos and their inhabitants and regulating the legislative field.