YEREVAN, OCTOBER 4, ARMENPRESS. October 4 is World Animal Day, on this occasion ARMENPRESS had an interview with Director of Yerevan Zoo Ruben Khachatryan.

Mr. Khachatryan, as we know, the second stage of the restoration and improvement of the Zoo is in process. At what stage are the works?

The project is implemented within the framework of the capital’s development four year program and is finances by the City Hall. The results of the first stage were already seen by the public since June, 2015. During this time, at the initiative of the City Hall, as result of cooperation between international experts and specialists, the projects for new cages were designed, and construction works are already proceeding.

The list of main works of the second stage include construction of expanded cages for bears, wolves, African lions, predatory birds, as well as creation of a quarantine center. The space for the bears will be expanded (the zoo area will be expanded by 6000sq m), and visitors will observe the animals in their natural habitat.

What plans do you have for bringing new species to the Zoo?

Bringing new species is not priority for the Zoo today, it is more important to provide necessary conditions for the species that we already have. It is noteworthy that the Yerevan Zoo is guided by the regulation of EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) in the issue of changing and supplementing species.

Meanwhile, however the process of bringing new species is ongoing, the biggest surprise for visitors will be the Red Panda, which we will receive next year.

The full text of the interview is available in Armenian.