Caucasian Red Deer Return to Lori’s Natural Habitat

Nine Caucasian red deer have been released into the forests of Yeghgnut, Lori Province, marking a historic step in Armenia’s biodiversity restoration efforts. The event, held on May 22 in celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity, was attended by Mr. Hovhannes Martirosyan, Head of the Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body.

The release was carried out as part of the “Reintroduction of the Red Deer in Armenia” program, launched in 2013 by the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Armenia in partnership with WWF-Armenia. While 13 deer have already been successfully restored in Dilijan National Park, this is the first time in decades that the species has returned to Lori Province, where it was once abundant.

The reintroduced deer had been under daily care and monitoring by specialists to ensure successful adaptation to the wild. This milestone highlights Armenia’s commitment to protecting wildlife and raising public awareness about nature conservation.