Yerevan Zoo

2 Myasnikian Street, Yerevan (+374-10) 56-01-92

The Yerevan Zoo, though underfunded, has come through a very rough period it experienced in the early 1990s during blockade and energy crisis.

A visit now will take you through a tour of many animals both native to Armenia and from abroad. From native bears to camels and tigers. The entry fee is minimal (less than $1) and feeding of some animals is permitted (if not encouraged).

And old Soviet text says...

ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN

The zoological garden of Yerevan was established in 1940 in compliance with a decision of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Armenian SSR. The garden nestles in a picturesque gorge and takes up an area of about thirty-five hectares.

At present the garden counts about 1500 different animals and 260 species.

The breeding of aquarium fish was started in 1971 and currently the aquariums contain 800 fish of 40 different species.

The reptiles of the zoological garden of Yerevan comprise the tortoise, the crocodile, the lizard and the snake. The feathered world is quite rich in the garden: African ostriches, cassowaries, emus, nandus, loons, pink pelicans, white storks, flamingoes, swans, owls, birds of prey, parrots and many more.

The mammals in the zoo are of a wide variety: lions, tigers, and white, brown and Himalayan bears, jaguars, leopards, black panthers, pumas, cheetahs, hyenas, trots.

The visitors evince keen interest in such animals as the tapir, the kangaroo, the zebra, the pony, the hippopotamus, the elephant, the llama, the reindeer, the zebu, the bison and the yak.

The little visitors enjoy the monkeys for hours.

The zoo garden also displays the specimens of the Armenian flora: the Transcaticasian wolves, the fox, the bear, the wild boar, the hyena, the marten, the poisonous snakes, and the birds of prey.

The zoological garden of Yerevan is, in addition, an educational-research centre. Fervent activities are developed here aimed at popularizing biological data and at raising and preserving rare species of animals; again, thematic exhibitions are set out and excursions are arranged.

The zoo is a favorite haunt of the inhabitants of the capital. In addition to the official state-run museums there is a large number of departmental museums and shows, such as the zoological museum of the Armenian academy of sciences, the museum of minerals of the geological board under the Council of Ministers of the republic, the exhibition of achievements in the national economy of Armenia, the exposition of the artists' house, to mention but a few.

The following archaeological hoards figure now as peculiar museums: Karmir Blour (Teyshebaini), Arin-berd (Erebouny). The guests of the capital also visit the house where Stepan Shahumian was born in 1906, the Statue of Victory, the obelisk in token of the semi-centennial of Soviet Armenia, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, etc.

Yerevan excels also in its majestic buildings, broad avenues, bridges, new residential quarters, green belts and water complexes.

To crown it all, there are large numbers of interesting ar-chaeologioal and architectural monuments within the city limits.

70th Anniversary

YEREVAN'S ZOO CELEBRATES 70TH ANNIVERSARY AND INTRODUCES A NEW "ANIMAL CARE" CONCEPT

Noyan Tapan 20.10.2011

This project is one of the numerous reforms launched at the zoo marking its 70th anniversary this year. The improvement program has been initiated by the new director -president of the Preservation Fund for Wildlife and Cultural Values Mr. Ruben Khachatryan.

By reorganization of the park, the personnel of Yerevan Zoo makes an attempt to turn the zoo into a reserve where animals inhabit in as spacious areas as possible and people visiting the zoo get a chance to not simply see an animal locked in a cage, but can watch him in a more natural environment, study and better understand their vital importance in the nature. The area is suitable for creating such conditions, as only 6 ha of the 35-hectare park is currently used. Mr.

Khachatryan believes that foreign expert's participation in the project is highly important.

While new plans are being made taken from the world practices in this sphere, visitors now notice the improvements made at the zoo. If compared to last year, it is obvious that the space has been re-arranged and improved; the cages are in a better condition, the characteristic strong smell has been reduced too, even new garbage bins have been placed separately for plastic and polyethylene wastes as well as other kinds of trash.

In order to help children better familiarize themselves with the fauna, every Friday viewing of documentaries about wildlife is offered at a designated for that purpose quite comfortable area in the park and those who are interested can take a bus that offers a free ride to the zoo from vicinity of Yeritasardakan (Youth) metro station in the center of Yerevan.

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