FPWC specialists conduct inspection in Aragats Mountain traces of a bear and a lair have been found
30-09-2019 12:30:37 | Armenia | Press release
The Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) is expressing its concern about the periodic news reports about the people armed with firearms around Aragats Mountain.
It should be noted that the gray bear (Ursus arctos) is listed in the RA Red Book of Animals and currently the species is also listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 3.1) as "Least Concern." Hunting the gray bear is not allowed and is punishable by the law.
According to the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On Tariffs for Compensation of Damage caused to Wildlife and Flora as a result of environmental offenses,” hunting or damage caused to the Transcaucasian Brown Bear, listed in the Red Book, is set at: AMD 1,000,000.
We state that, as a consequence of the last case occurred on Aragats Mountain, at the request of relevant state bodies, the Foundation staff has recently carried out inspection activities in the area.
FPWC specialists, together with the staff members of Ministry of the Environment, the Inspectorate for Nature Protection and Mineral Resources, visited the area and found fresh animal traces and a bear's lair, and they gathered other necessary information.
This area is a bear habitat. Hidden trap cameras were installed at the site to monitor the animal's behavior and discuss further actions based on the collected information.
The Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets has expressed its willingness to assist in the installation of a warning sign informing about the existence of a wild animal, there.
The FPWC stresses on the need to discuss the feasibility of using this route as a tourist destination, which can only be done by a professional group.
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