Video: Bear Cub Rescued from Poachers' Trap, Camera Captures It

On August 28, at 10:15 AM, the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values (FPWC) received a report from the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Armenia and the Environmental Inspection Body of Vayots Dzor Province regarding bear cries heard in the village of Yeghigis, Vayots Dzor, and preliminary data indicated that a bear was trapped.

Immediate measures were taken, with seven staff members from the foundation arriving at the scene, joined by rescue workers from the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Inspection Body staff, and police officers.

“The 7-month-old bear cub was suffocating due to a cable wrapped around its neck. Five other wires of varying calibers were found in the same area, set by poachers. After conducting an initial drone review and sedating the bear, it was transported to a safe location. Just five minutes after the sedation, the cub ran back up the mountain,” the report states.

“It was a 7-8 month old cub, and it has also been vaccinated against rabies. Despite the ban, illegal hunting is taking place in this area. I must mention that in the same gorge, there have been 3-4 different cases of bear killings just in the last two years, which is extremely concerning. I am glad that we were able to save this cub,” noted Ruben Khachatryan, director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values.