Bear Cub Rescued in Hrazdan: Transferred to Yerevan Zoo

Recently, a citizen from Hrazdan city in the Kotayk region reported to the Environmental and Mining Inspection Body (EMIB) that they had found a bear cub, according to Econews.am.

Thanks to the efforts of EMIB inspectors and employees of the Yerevan Zoo, a male bear cub, approximately 5-6 months old, has been transferred to the zoo's quarantine center, where it will stay for a month. Subsequently, its fate will be determined; the animal has the potential to be returned to its natural habitat.

In a conversation with us, Harutyun Hovhannisyan, the chief veterinarian of the Yerevan Zoo, stated that the animal is in good condition, but it is overly accustomed to humans, leading to the belief that the cub is not from the wild, but has been kept in captivity.

However, further details will only be available after the quarantine phase of the animal. EMIB's press office also informed us that more detailed information will be released soon.

It is worth noting that the brown bear (Ursus arctos) is listed in the Red Book of Animals of Armenia and is currently categorized as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List (ver. 3.1). According to IUCN criteria, it is assessed as 'Vulnerable' (VU B2ab (iii, iv)). This species has a very large range, covering Eurasia and North America, and is found in the regions of Ararat, Vayots Dzor, Syunik, Tavush, Lori, Kotayk, and Gegharkunik. It may occasionally enter the Shirak and Aragatsotn regions and has been recorded at elevations between 400-500 to 3000 meters.

According to the Red Book of Animals of Armenia, the population number is unknown but is likely stable. It should not be considered evidence of a large population when bears frequently enter villages causing damage to orchards and apiaries. It is more probable that this is a consequence of habitat degradation and insufficient food resources leading to population fragmentation.