Animals Abandoned

As paw-rents, it may be difficult to imagine how some people can heartlessly abandon their pets without good reason. However, a zoo owner from the small town of Gyumri, Armenia has taken it to the next level by leaving all his zoo animals. They are trapped in tiny concrete cells, and mostly without food or water. Read on to find out more.
Pets Team 29 January 2016


(image credit: thedodo.com)

At the abandoned zoo in the small town of Gyumri, Armenia, the surviving animals trapped in their enclosures are a depressing sight. While it is unclear how exactly the animals ended up there, The Dodo reports that they were the former pets of an Armenian billionaire and businessman, Stepan Vardanyan. He set up the zoo in 2010 and used the animals for his jungle-themed parties. However, when he later ran into financial and health troubles, they were abandoned. His current whereabouts are unknown but he has been quoted to say that he cannot care for the animals anymore but does not want to seem them being put down.

As much as he doesn't want that, the undeniable fact is that they have been left to die. Several have already passed on since their abandonment and for the remaining few, hopes are not high.


(image credit: thedodo.com)

There are only seven animals left–three lions, two bears and two guinea pigs. Apart from not having food and water, many of them are extremely frustrated at being trapped in such a small space. Photos show the animals in a haggard and dishevelled states, peering out for someone to rescue them from their current predicament. In particular, the bears have fur filled with straw and dirt, visible signs that they require help. One of them even collapsed a few weeks ago and is extremely weak. These enclosures could very well be their soon-to-be coffins.


(image credit: thedodo.com)

Hoping to free herself from the caged enclosure, this lioness has taken to slamming her head into the bars, resulting in several wounds. She is also separated from her two lion cubs who are stuck in their own cages made out of an old metal lorry container. The cubs have tried to claw their way out, making small holes and indents in the wooden panels.


(image credit: thedodo.com)

Fortunately, help is on its way. On a local level, an elderly couple–Hovhamnes and Alvina Madoyan–heard the cries of the animals in torment and decided to do something to help. When they ventured into the compound, they saw the lioness and her cub frothing at the mouths from the lack of water. Although they are both retired and limited of income, they have since dedicated their lives to the caring of the animals, feeding them and even moving into a nearby shack. However, there is only so much that the couple can do.


(image credit: thedodo.com)

Thankfully, an international coalition of animal rescue groups have come together to give these animals a real home. Led by Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS), the bears have been transported to a temporary enclosure at the Yerevan Zoo before moving to the Libearty Bear Sanctuary in Romania. While the lions still need to be relocated to a more spacious temporary home, we're glad that their plight has come to the attention of these international rescue groups. Hopefully all of them will recover well from here onwards and never have to go through such an experience ever again.

For more information on the WVS and how to donate, visit http://wvs.org.uk/how-to-help/donate.