The opening of the Wildlife Rescue Centre

The official opening of the new Wildlife Rescue Centre (WRC) took place in the Caucasus Wildlife Refuge (CWR), a privately protected area managed by the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) in Armenia on the 6th of May.

The construction of the Wildlife Rescue Centre’s first facility is the new quarantine station which is the first completed and fully equipped facility of the new rescue centre has been funded by WVS (Worldwide Veterinary Service) as a result of fundraising efforts to rescue and rehabilitate the three lions from the ‘World’s Saddest Zoo’.

The three lions rescued from the zoo were done so, by the joint commitment and concerted actions of WVS and the FPWC.

The expert team of the Wildlife Rescue Centre will comprise specialists from the FPWC, WVS, the Ministry of Nature Protection and the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

The expert team will assess wildlife who appear to be vulnerable or whom are potentially dangerous or under threat as a result of human activity. Depending on their particular situation, the animals will be provided with appropriate treatment and care at the new Wildlife Rescue Centre and will then be returned to their natural habitat or if this is not possible, they will be transferred to an appropriate international wildlife sanctuary.

The Wildlife Rescue Centre will be sustainably addressing issues such as damage to the wildlife by human intervention, inappropriate conditions of wild animals in captivity and half-captivity and cruel treatment and torture of animals.

Additionally, the Wildlife Rescue Centre will implement regular informational and educational campaigns aimed at different target groups against the illegal exploitation of wild animals and its consequences.