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Attraction or Exploitation?: Planned dolphin tank in Yerevan raises concerns
News | 30.09.10 | 14:57
NAZIK ARMENAKYAN
ArmeniaNow
Gohar Abrahamyan
ArmeniaNow intern
News that a tank for holding dolphins and other sea animals is being
built in Yerevan has raised concern of ecologists and animal-rights
activists who say Armenia is not suitable for such an attraction.
The construction of the circular tank started last month, initiated by
a Ukrainian organization - Nerum - on land leased by the Yerevan
Municipality. It is being constructed in Komitas Park, near the
`Pantheon'.
Silva Adamyan, Head of the Center for Bird Lovers NGO, says that
Armenian climate conditions are not favorable for having dolphins
here.
`It is an exploitation of an animal,' she says. Further, no public
discussion has been held on the use of public space. `Is there an
expert's opinion? Let them submit the documents allowing the import of
dolphins.'
Even those who welcome having the old park renovated, say that
renovation of the run-down site should not be at the expense of
endangering animals.
Environmentalist Knarik Hovhannisyan points out, too, that the Water
Resources Management Agency of the Ministry of Nature Protection of
Armenia has not been advised of the dolphin tank, which would require
1,500 cubic meters of water.
`This means that the water may be supplied by `Yerevan Jur' (Yerevan
Water) Company, and this means that the dolphin tank will be
constructed at the expense of Yerevan residents' drinking water,'
Hovhannisyan says.
While environmentalists try to find out whether legal requirements
have been met, construction of the tank continues.
Alexander Merlyan, Director of the Ukrainian Nerum Organization says
the tank will be ready for use `in about two months'.
If plans are fulfilled, the tank - five meters deep and 18 meters
radius -- would house four dolphins, one sea lion and two seals. The
complex would be built to accommodate 900 visitors.
From: A. Papazian
News | 30.09.10 | 14:57
NAZIK ARMENAKYAN
ArmeniaNow
Gohar Abrahamyan
ArmeniaNow intern
News that a tank for holding dolphins and other sea animals is being
built in Yerevan has raised concern of ecologists and animal-rights
activists who say Armenia is not suitable for such an attraction.
The construction of the circular tank started last month, initiated by
a Ukrainian organization - Nerum - on land leased by the Yerevan
Municipality. It is being constructed in Komitas Park, near the
`Pantheon'.
Silva Adamyan, Head of the Center for Bird Lovers NGO, says that
Armenian climate conditions are not favorable for having dolphins
here.
`It is an exploitation of an animal,' she says. Further, no public
discussion has been held on the use of public space. `Is there an
expert's opinion? Let them submit the documents allowing the import of
dolphins.'
Even those who welcome having the old park renovated, say that
renovation of the run-down site should not be at the expense of
endangering animals.
Environmentalist Knarik Hovhannisyan points out, too, that the Water
Resources Management Agency of the Ministry of Nature Protection of
Armenia has not been advised of the dolphin tank, which would require
1,500 cubic meters of water.
`This means that the water may be supplied by `Yerevan Jur' (Yerevan
Water) Company, and this means that the dolphin tank will be
constructed at the expense of Yerevan residents' drinking water,'
Hovhannisyan says.
While environmentalists try to find out whether legal requirements
have been met, construction of the tank continues.
Alexander Merlyan, Director of the Ukrainian Nerum Organization says
the tank will be ready for use `in about two months'.
If plans are fulfilled, the tank - five meters deep and 18 meters
radius -- would house four dolphins, one sea lion and two seals. The
complex would be built to accommodate 900 visitors.
From: A. Papazian