Zoo Protests Are Orchestrated, Says Director

As a citizen, I find it completely normal for protests to take place in front of the zoo; it is their right to hold peaceful demonstrations and voice their concerns. However, we live in a legal country, and those same protesters have appealed to various legal institutions, including the city hall, and numerous inspections have been conducted, the results of which will be made public. This was stated by Ruben Khachatryan, the director of the Yerevan Zoo, during a conversation with journalists today.

He emphasized that the protests are orchestrated by individuals who have no ties to the zoo; they are involved in the animal trade, display animals in restaurants, or wish to open various exotic establishments, or already operate them. These are people who oppose the regulation of animal trade.

Earlier, we reported that former employees of the Yerevan Zoo are once again staging a protest in front of the zoo, demanding the resignation of the director.