Wildlife Rescue Center opens in Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - The official opening of Wildlife Rescue Centre (WRC) took place in Armenia's Caucasus Wildlife Refuge (CWR), a privately protected area managed by the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC).

The first temporary inhabitants of the quarantine station - the first completed and fully equipped facility of the WRC - will be the three lions rescued from Gyumri Private Zoo by joint commitment and concerted actions of the FPWC and Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS). The construction of the quarantine station, as well as the food and care for the lions since they have been moved to the CWR has been funded by the WVS. After undergoing the quarantine stage in Armenia the lionesses will be transferred to Manor Wildlife Park for their initial UK quarantine before going to their state of the art lion enclosure in Peak Wildlife Park, UK.

In the framework of the project a memorandum of cooperation will be signed between the FPWC, Armenian Ministry of Nature Protection and the Ministry of Emergency Situations stating the parties’ interest and willingness to collaborate for a coordinated and professional management of incidents involving wild animals both in Yerevan and Armenia’s provinces. Earlier, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between FPWC and WVS. FPWC’s General Partner VivaCell-MTS has also announced its long-term support to the project. A fully equipped emergency vehicle was donated to the Centre by VivaCell-MTS.

“When we learn to preserve the nature and not hinder the process of its regeneration, we will have a considerable progress in flora and fauna conservation, also raising the level of consciousness about our responsibility for the planet we live in,” said VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian. “If we do not pay due attention to environmental issues, we will leave a devastated planet to the next generations.”

The expert team of the Wildlife Rescue Centre will include specialists from the FPWC, WVS, the Ministry of Nature Protection and the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

The team will examine the animals which appear in vulnerable situations and/or become a threat as a result of human activity. Depending on a particular situation, the animals will be provided with appropriate treatment and care, and returned to wildlife and/or transferred to the international wildlife sanctuaries.

The Wildlife Rescue Centre will sustainably be addressing issues such as damage to the wildlife by human intervention, inappropriate conditions of wild animals in captivity and half-captivity and cruel treatment and torture of animals.

Additionally, the Wildlife Rescue Centre will implement regular informational and educational campaigns aimed at different target groups against illegal exploitation of wild animals and its consequences.