Between 2017 and 2022, nearly 4,000 wild animals were imported into Armenia from various parts of the world. The destiny of the majority of these animals remains obscure due to insufficient statistical records and incomplete customs data.

The Ministry of the Environment of the Republic of Armenia (MoE), the Food Safety Inspection Body (FSIB), and in some cases, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and the Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body, are the authorities that issue permits and conclusions for the trade of wild animals, but they do not have access to comprehensive information about imported and exported animals.

The customs service of the State Revenue Committee (SRC) similarly lacks comprehensive information regarding the importation and exportation of animals. This deficiency is attributed to what they describe as "objective and subjective" factors, including incomplete documentation in customs records.

From the Republic of South Africa (RSA) to private companies in Russia via Armenia

In 2021, 45 giraffes were imported into Armenia. During the transfer, one of them perished, and another one died shortly after arriving in Armenia. The fate of the remaining giraffes is currently unknown.

Several months following their importation into Armenia, agreements were reached to sell 30 of the giraffes. Re-export permits were issued for 12 of them to "Ovatsiya" LLC, based in the city of Tula, Russia. This company is involved in the retail trade of food, including meat and meat products. Another 12 giraffes were intended to be sent to “Yaltinsky Zoo SKAZKA” LLC. Additionally, permission to export the remaining 6 giraffes was granted to an individual undertaker Eduard Sergeyevich Khachaturyan. Khachaturyan's name has previously been cited in the media in connection with suspicious transactions involving the transportation of wild animals from Armenia to the Russian Federation.

However, none of these transactions were completed due to a ban imposed by Rosselkhoznadzor of the Russian Federation in 2020. The ban prohibits the entry of animals from RSA, as well as animals sensitive to aphthous fever, into Russia.

Giraffes were imported to Armenia by "Fauna Zoo" LLC, whose owners previously conducted animal trade transactions through "Zoo Fauna Art" LLC, which went bankrupt in 2017 and is currently undergoing liquidation. The bankruptcy manager, Samson Ghukasyan, informed "Infocom" that the area where this company is registered is mortgaged and will soon be sold. However, the sale is being delayed due to an issue concerning the status of the land.

At least four government agencies in Armenia have facilitated this import transaction by issuing permits and providing favorable professional opinions. These agencies include the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Armenia (MoE), the Food Safety Inspection Body (FSIB), the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), and the Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body. However, none of these entities offer complete information regarding the current status of the animals.

How is the Scientific Center of Zoology and Hydroecology of the NAS of RA involved in the importation of giraffes?

Observations by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) indicate a significant decline in giraffe populations over recent decades. Studies from 1985 to 2015 reveal a decrease of 36-40% in giraffe numbers, attributed to increased human exploitation (anthropogenic factors) and habitat loss.

Since 2016, giraffes have been included on the IUCN Red List with a "Vulnerable" (VU) status. The IUCN estimates there are approximately 68,293 mature individuals of giraffes. Since 2019, giraffes have been classified under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This placement further emphasizes the necessity to prioritize conservation efforts and protect these animals. 

The Scientific Center of Zoology and Hydroecology of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia submitted a written conclusion to the Ministry of Environment, stating that giraffes cannot survive in Armenia's natural environment. At the same time, the conclusion affirms that the facilities of "Fauna Zoo" LLC adhere to all international norms and standards of animal care, enabling the temporary housing of the animals on the premises. Thus, the scientific center did not oppose the importation of 45 giraffes without any scientific justification.

In the official documents, the purpose of importing giraffes was stated to be for animal trade and breeding. In other words, the main purpose of importing the animals is further resale.

In the professional conclusion of the Scientific Center of the National Academy of Sciences, environmental damage resulting from the importation, the impact of climate change on the animals, and the effects of keeping them in captivity were not considered.

Observations by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) indicate a significant decline in giraffe populations over recent decades. Studies from 1985 to 2015 reveal a decrease of 36-40% in giraffe numbers, attributed to increased human exploitation (anthropogenic factors) and habitat loss.

Since 2016, giraffes have been included on the IUCN Red List with a "Vulnerable" (VU) status. The IUCN estimates there are approximately 68,293 mature individuals of giraffes. Since 2019, giraffes have been classified under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This placement further emphasizes the necessity to prioritize conservation efforts and protect these animals. 

The Scientific Center of Zoology and Hydroecology of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia submitted a written conclusion to the Ministry of Environment, stating that giraffes cannot survive in Armenia's natural environment. At the same time, the conclusion affirms that the facilities of "Fauna Zoo" LLC adhere to all international norms and standards of animal care, enabling the temporary housing of the animals on the premises. Thus, the scientific center did not oppose the importation of 45 giraffes without any scientific justification.

In the official documents, the purpose of importing giraffes was stated to be for animal trade and breeding. In other words, the main purpose of importing the animals is further resale.

In the professional conclusion of the Scientific Center of the National Academy of Sciences, environmental damage resulting from the importation, the impact of climate change on the animals, and the effects of keeping them in captivity were not considered.

Giraffes and other wildlife, unseen and unheard

In 2021, efforts were made to determine the whereabouts and living conditions of the 43 giraffes imported into Armenia. Despite repeated attempts to contact the “Fauna Zoo” company, our inquiries were unsuccessful as they refused to respond to our questions.

The "Fauna Zoo" is registered at 148 G. Mahari Street (Erebuni administrative district). This address is stated in all documents as the location of animal importation. Assuming that the giraffes brought from RSA are housed at this address, we submitted a written request to the FSIB in 2022 regarding the animals kept in the area.

The FSIB didn't provide specific numbers for the giraffes, but they did mention giraffes, zebras, goats, tigers, lions, monkeys, parrots, and rhinos being housed at the address. That's the latest update we have on the giraffes at 148 G. Mahari Street. However, when we pressed for further information, both the FSBI and EPMIB stonewalled us, saying they needed written consent from the company.

Our visit to the premises of "Fauna Zoo" LLC yielded no new information. G. Mahari Street is a residential area, a typical street in Yerevan. Surprisingly, even the residents of the neighborhood are unaware of the presence of wild animals living nearby. They have neither seen, heard, nor sensed the presence of such a large number of animals in their vicinity. This is despite the fact that, according to data from the SRC, MoE, and FSIB, there are supposedly 43 giraffes, 20 zebras, 49 ibex, 20 crocodiles, 20 caracals, 20 servals, 20 genets, lions, and tigers kept in this area.

Unveiling the official data

According to the data provided by the SRC, 3,941 wild and exotic animals with different conservation statuses were imported to Armenia from different countries in 2017-2022. Due to the lack of complete records, the fate, status, location and conditions of most of these animals are unknown.

Quantity and customs value of wild animals
imported to and exported from Armenia, 2017-2023

Only 703 of the imported animals, mostly small birds, were exported. Put differently, official data indicates there should be 3,238 imported animals in Armenia. However, no state institution, including the MoE, responsible for issuing animal import permits, provides complete information about the location and status of these animals.