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During the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Environment meeting, the initiative of a new draft was discussed, developed after the scandal about Gyumri private zoo and the predators that were kept there.
“Gyumri zoo scandal made us realize the existing legislative gaps,” said Minister of Nature Protection of Armenia Aramayis Grigoryan.

The zoo, owned by entrepreneur Vardan Stepanyan, has been abandoned for a long time and the predators, tigers and bears have been suffering from hunger. This issue was even covered by the British press, and a group of environmentalists initiated a fundraising campaign in the animals’ defence. Even people from abroad donated money. As a result, two bears have been transferred to Romania, and three tigers to Urtsadzor rehabilitation centre.

Deputy Minister of Nature Protection of Armenia Khachik Hakobyan represented the initiative for legislative changes that suggest anyone keeping wild animals should be responsible for those animals and pay annual bills.

According to the official, this will result in establishing appropriate funds, which, if need be, will be spent for rapid resolution of animal problems.

Besides, when the law comes into force, animals will be registered and numbered.
Khachik Hakobyan answered the question about the zoo owner’s detention, saying that Vardan Stepanyan was supposed to receive a strict punishment, yet he was treated with mercy as he was bankrupted.

“We refrained from punishments, focusing on saving the animals,” said Deputy Minister of Nature Protection of Armenia.