Alarm: Unprecedented Bear Activity in Vayots Dzor Region

The Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values (FPWC) warns that human-bear conflicts are escalating in various regions of Armenia. The issue is particularly evident in the Vayots Dzor region, as evidenced by numerous reports received by the foundation's office as well as other relevant authorities. Specifically, there are footage from trap cameras that confirm the unprecedented activity of bears in this area.

"Considering the existing problems, the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values proposes the establishment of a rapid response team composed of employees from the Ministry of Emergency Situations, representatives from the Environmental and Subsoil Inspection Body, a representative from the Agricultural and Environmental Department of the Vayots Dzor Regional Administration, and forest guards from the Caucasian Biodiversity Reserve. The rapid response team will be responsible for promptly reaching the scene, documenting and recording incidents of attacks, and reporting to the relevant authorities. We are confident that such cooperation will contribute to mitigating the human-bear conflict in the Vayots Dzor region," stated Ruben Khachatryan, the director of the foundation.

The foundation has expressed its willingness to assist in studying the conflict, capturing bears that exhibit problematic behavior if necessary, and providing shelter, as well as financially supporting the Ministry of Environment in conducting studies on the population and distribution of bears in Armenia through funds from International Animal Rescue and FPWC.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Armenia has proposed to organize a meeting regarding the issue. The foundation is still awaiting a response from the Ministry of Environment. It should be noted that the foundation established a Wildlife Rescue Center in 2016 and has been involved in bear rescues for years. The foundation has extensive experience not only in rescuing bears in captivity but also in those trapped in the wild. Furthermore, the foundation has donated electric fences to vulnerable communities in the Vayots Dzor region to mitigate human-bear conflicts. These facts further highlight the importance of focusing attention on studying the human-bear conflict in the Vayots Dzor region.