Bear cub rescued from pack of stray dogs in Armenia

A Transcaucasian brown bear cub, an endangered species listed in the Armenian Red Book, has been rescued after being found under threat of attack by a pack of stray dogs in Gegharkunik Province.

According to Armenia's Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Agency, its Gegharkunik Regional Department received a report at around 12:20 p.m. on July 28 from a resident of Martuni, identified as V.V., who had discovered the cub.

The approximately four-month-old bear cub was spotted near the 15th kilometer of the Martuni–Getap highway, where it was surrounded by six or seven dogs.

The resident managed to drive the dogs away, rescue the animal, and provide it with temporary shelter before authorities arrived.

An inspection found no visible injuries on the cub.

To ensure its proper care and prepare it for its eventual return to the wild, the cub was transferred the same day to the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC), where it was placed in the care of the Wildlife Rescue Center.