On October 14, 2022, the first batch of red deer, two males and one female deers - Zagros, Nadal and Zina, were released from Deer Breeding Center of Dilijan National Park. Special radio collars were placed on the released animals, which will allow tracking the movement of individuals online.
The deer breeding center was created within the framework of "Caucasian Red Deer Resettlement in Armenia" project launched in 2013, which is implemented by WWF-Armenia and RA Environment Ministry through KfW Development Bank of the Federal Republic of Germany (BMZ), WWF Germany and with the support of the Caucasus Nature Foundation (CNF).
Environment Minister Hakob Simidyan, Deputy Ministers Aram Meymar Gabrielyan, Tavush Regional Head Hayk Ghalumyan, Dilijan Mayor Davit Sargsyan, Head of Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body of Hovhannes Martirosyan, Director of WWF Armenia Karen Manvelyan, CNF Executive Director Tobias Muenchmeyer, as well as the representatives of international and local organizations, mass media took part in this event.
Within the framework of this project, 14 individuals were transferred from the Islamic Republic of Iran to Armenia in 2018, out of which three were donations, and 5,000 dollars were paid for each of 11 red deers. As of 2022, 21 cubs were born in the center. In addition to individuals released into the wild, 27 deer currently live in the center's 10-hectare free range.
Environment Minister Hakob Simidyan said in his welcoming speech. The red deer has been a resident of "Dilijan" National Park for many years. "Through the project, we want to rehabilitate in order to return the deer to their habitat. Releasing animals into the wild is one thing, protecting them is another. The concern is that animal species are out of biodiversity as a result of human activities.
Karen Manvelyan, Head of WWF Armenia, noted that the mother group will always remain in the center, they will have 8-12 cubs per year, which will also be released into the wild as soon as they reach the age of two. According to Karen Manvelyan, the habitat of deer includes not only "Dilijan" National Park, but also the forests of Tavush and Lori Regions. In reply to EcoLur's question, when we can say that this animal species is already recovered, Karen Manvelyan answered, "It is calculated according to the standards of the international environmental union, where the quantity and its settlements are considered. They still will be red-listed for 10-15 years."
CNF Executive Director Tobias Muenchmeyer said that it is a very important event in the history of the Armenian biodiversity.
October 17, 2022 at 13:53