POACHING IN ARMENIA SIMPLY ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE RICH, SAYS WWF-ARMENIA

Tert
Nov 11 2009
Armenia

Animals are being killed in all regions in Armenia, except perhaps in
specific preservation reserves, said Director of World Wildlife Fund
Armenian branch Karen Manvelyan while speaking with journalists today.

In Manvelyan’s words, animals in Armenia are not being killed for food,
but rather simply as a unique pasttime for the rich and wealthy.

Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to fight against poaching, continued
Manvelyan. As an example, the WWF-Armenia director mentioned the
limited number of inspectors. In one of Armenia’s largest provinces
(known as marzer), Syunik, there is all of 5 inspectors supervising
the area.

Manvelyan added that in August of the current year, they were able
to capture four poachers.

The WWF office in Armenia was founded in Yerevan in 2001, and in
November 2006, it was officially registered as the Armenian branch
of the World Wildlife Fund ().