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A group of current and former employees of the Yerevan Zoo staged a protest in front of the zoo, demanding the resignation of its Director Ruben Khachatryan as the zoo opened new season on Wednesday.

The protesters accuse the director of leading the zoo to ‘destruction’, arguing the animal death rates have increased in the zoo since Khachatryan took office in 2011.

The employees chanted demands to set up a governing board and hold new elections for the director.

Speaking about the task force set up by the Yerevan Municipality to carry out inspections in the zoo, one of the protesters said: “In November, when the group was set up, a meeting took place with Yerevan, Hayk Marutyan. Then a statement followed that long-term work is expected. The Municipality is listening to one of the sides only; they are listening only to what Ruben Khachatryan says.”

Former Yerevan Zoo employee Manuk Manukyan argued the director has poor knowledge in the sphere. “Not being a professional, he can’t even work with professionals. He fired employees with many years of experience. Whoever raises the issues, gets sacked immediately,” he insisted.

Another employee added the director has fired a total of 80 employees during his tenure.