Tourists Continue to Climb Mount Ararat After Bear Attack

Recently, the news of a bear attack on a foreign tourist climbing Mount Ararat resonated widely. Although the incident is still new, mountaineer and head of the "Armlend" tourism club, Artyom Martirosyan, has managed to go on a hike to Ararat with his friends. In an interview with Armtimes.com, he stated that everything went well, and there were a few other people besides them.

He has heard a lot about snake bites but found the news of a bear attack surprising. In his opinion, the couple must have been alone and quietly approached the bear, encountering it by chance. "I have been hiking for 10 years and have only seen a bear cub once a long time ago," noted Artyom Martirosyan, adding that if the group is large and makes noise, animals do not dare to approach; when they catch a human scent, they tend to stay away.

The mountaineer mentioned that there are bears and wolves on the slopes of Ararat, Mount Azhdahak, and Mount Ara, emphasizing the importance of being cautious. If you are alone, it’s advisable to remain still to avoid being noticed, although hiking alone is not encouraged.

In the mountains of Armenia, dangers include snakes, scorpions, bears, and wolves. According to statistical data provided by the Ministry of Emergency Situations, 42 emergency cases involving animal attacks were recorded from 2019 until September 19, resulting in one fatality. The statistics for 2016 show 24 cases, with one individual injured, while 2017 saw 15 reported cases with one injury as well. In 2018, there were 33 incidents, but no injuries were reported.

In light of the tragic event in Ararat, it was reiterated that hikers should notify the "911" service or the Federation of Mountaineering and Mountain Tourism before starting their adventure. "Although it is not legally required to report, this is done for safety purposes," emphasized Edmond Zargaryan, press secretary of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, adding that if there is no emergency, the ministry cannot prevent an expedition from occurring. The aim of notifying is to inform about challenges in such remote areas, weather conditions, terrain issues, and potential dangers. This is to ensure that they can be easily found if necessary.

Edmond Zargaryan stressed that especially for tourists, it is beneficial if they do not receive navigational information, allowing them to know where they are going and what issues might arise. "This is humanitarian in nature, to make the situation manageable, and the MES offers its services. While prevention is impossible, measures can be taken to mitigate the situation as much as possible," highlighted the spokesperson.

Appropriate footwear for climbing, a backpack, a first aid kit with emergency supplies, a lamp (preferably headlamps), gloves, warm clothing, a hat, glasses, and you are ready to join the hiking group. For more details, refer to the original source.