On September 13th, within the frames of the Reintroduction of the Red Deer in Armenia project, 10 Red Deers were released into Dilijan National Park.
With the goal of restoring the population of the Red Deer in Armenia, WWF Armenia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment of Armenia, has been implementing the Reintroduction of the Red Deer in Armenia project since 2013. The initiative is supported by the government of the Federal Republic of Germany (BMZ) through the KfW Development Bank, WWF Germany, and the Caucasus Nature Fund (CNF). The project is carried out at the Red Deer Breeding Center, established within Dilijan National Park, where introduced Deer are bred and are later released into the wild
The Red Deer, which had completely disappeared from Armenia by the 1950s, made its return in 2018 when 14 individuals were brought from the Islamic Republic of Iran as part of the reintroduction project. These Deer were transported to Dilijan National Park, where a breeding center had been established in preparation for their arrival. Over the years, the number of animals at the center tripled, leading to the release of the first experimental group, consisting of three individuals, into the wild in 2022.
"Our goal is to create all possible conditions to ensure that Armenia's rich biodiversity is replenished with the Red Deer," said Dr. Levon Aghasyan, Director of WWF Armenia.
Therefore, in line with the project's objectives, ten Red Deers were returned to the wild on September 13, coinciding with the Day of Protected Areas in Armenia.
It is important to note that the Deers are released with GPS-equipped collar panels, due to which it is possible to monitor their movements in the wild and ensure their safety.
The release event was attended by Deputy Ministers of the Ministry of Environment of Armenia, Ara Mkrtchyan and Tigran Gabrielyan; the Head of the Eco-Patrol Service Vladimir Kirakosyan; the Governor of Tavush Province Hayk Ghalumyan; the Director of WWF Armenia Levon Aghasyan; representatives from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Armenia; heads of SNPOs under the ministry; and representatives of international organizations.
In his speech, Mr. Ara Mkrtchyan stated, “Through similar projects, we aim to cultivate a culture in our country that supports the restoration of biodiversity.”
Looking ahead, the plan is to release 5 to 10 individuals into the wild each year.
September 16, 2024 at 09:58