An alarming incident occurred on the night of November 23 near the borders of the Caucasus Wildlife Refuge (CWR) and the Khosrov Forest State Reserve in Armenia. A group of individuals, armed with rifles, dressed in hunting gear, and equipped with night vision devices, illegally entered the protected area, presumably with the intent to hunt.

CWR rangers detected suspicious activity on the slopes of Mount Dasanord (Dahnag, 2,535m) at around 11:30 PM. According to CWR Chief Ranger Gevorg Karapetyan, “We noticed vehicle lights followed by flashlight beams and initiated reconnaissance while promptly notifying the Khosrov Forest State Reserve’s Eco-Patrol team. Together, we blocked potential escape routes, successfully intercepting the group.”

The Eco-Patrol team filed an official report, confiscating two firearms, both of which lacked proper documentation. Furthermore, the offenders had fired shots at FPWC's surveillance cameras in an apparent attempt to damage the Foundation's property. Notably, the incident occurred near the VIVA communication tower, underscoring the brazen nature of this illegal activity.

These areas fall under strict protection, jointly overseen by the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) and state authorities. Hunting is strictly prohibited in these zones. Fortunately, the swift and professional response of FPWC rangers, in collaboration with the eco-patrol team, successfully prevented what could have been a case of poaching.

This incident is not isolated. A similar event was recently documented by the Foundation in the Vayots Dzor region, highlighting persistent gaps in the regulation of hunting and wildlife conservation activities.

FPWC calls on the public to adopt a more responsible attitude towards nature and applauds the rapid response of the eco-patrol team. We hope this case will receive the attention it deserves from the relevant authorities to prevent future violations.

Let us work together to protect Armenia’s unique biodiversity and cultural heritage.