Three Cases of Cattle Deaths Registered in Tzapatax: Mayor Believes Animals Ate Flowering Toadflax

Three cases of cattle deaths have been registered in the Tzapatax community of the Gegharkunik region. Suliko Shushanyan, the head of the Shoghakat consolidated community (which includes Tzapatax), stated in an interview with NEWS.am that various means have managed to save 70-80 animals.

“Such incidents always occur at this time of year because it is the flowering season for toadflax. In my opinion, this is not related to the water from Lake Sevan; I say this based on my experience,” he noted, adding that an expert examination is underway to determine the cause of the cattle deaths.

He mentioned that workers from the Food Safety Inspection Body visited the village and collected samples for the purpose of conducting an examination.

Suliko Shushanyan indicated that if the meat of the cattle is processed, it is sold as it is not dangerous. Earlier, the head of the Food Safety Inspection Body, Georgi Avetisyan, mentioned that the deaths of cattle in the Gegharkunik region are, according to preliminary theories, a result of consuming grasses in humid conditions that belong to the toadflax family, and whether the animals drank water from Lake Sevan or elsewhere is still uncertain; it is too early to say if it was a consequence of Sevan's water.

It should be noted that there is one cow subjected to slaughter in the Vardenis region of the Gegharkunik area, while there are eight in the Martuni region. Thanks to the efforts of veterinarians, about 80 heads have been saved.