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Serda Ozbenian
Serda Ozbenian is a researcher with 11 years’ experience working on environmental and social issues. Born in Maryland, Ozbenian has dedicated the last six years to environmental issues in Armenia. Since its founding in 2007, Ozbenian has been the executive director of the Armenian Environmental Network, a project of Earth Island Institute based in Berkeley, Calif. Ozbenian is currently involved with waste management, environmental education, protected area management, wild edible plants, ecotourism, and wild animals in captivity. As part of her graduate work, Ozbenian conducted a survey of attitudes toward and conflicts with wolves and bears in rural villages in Armenia. Ozbenian augmented this research through her recently completed Fulbright Fellowship in Armenia with a research focus on population surveys of wolves and bears. Ozbenian holds an M.S. in environmental science and policy from George Mason University and a B.S. in animal behavior and photography from Towson University.
Latest posts by Serda Ozbenian (see all)
- Southern Armenia and ARK - April 8, 2016
- The Gyumri Zoo Animals and the Issue of Privately Owned Zoos - February 6, 2016
Animals are not ours to use or abuse for clothing, entertainment, food, etc. Humans are the root of all evil.
“Humans are the root of all evil.”
Agree.
You are human, therefore…..
I AGREE..most humans are evil, and self centered, but a small number are caring and conscientious, and they will help those animals sooner or later…this man made tragedy is so unnecessary and so heart breaking
No, humans are not the root of all evil. Clearly you have never heard of the Guinea worm, or countless other parasitic diseases. Or perhaps you are not familiar with viruses such as the one causing polio. What kind of self hate would have one think that humans were the root of all evil?
In general the Armenian population needs to be taught Vivo sense.that should start at Scholz with you.g kids. They are our only hope to get our country on the right foot toward a bright future.
As horrible as this may be, I hope someone can spare some compassion for the human animals of Gyumri who have suffered over 27 years of Days of Shame. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUwYP14B2Vo
Perfect report with correct links and informations, we all hope that the rehabilitation centre agreed by WVS and FPWC could go ahead without any delay, and well done Serda
It breaks my heart.
I ask all the readers to pitch in a buck, a fin or a see-note to say the least.
A request to “never support a private establishment that displays wild animals” would be more credible and more useful if the requester actually named those oligarchs (or politicians, since some of them seem to like to be called that) in Armenia who have private zoos because “support” also means buying things from them or voting for them or worshiping in their churches.
Great point, Steve! There are efforts to create a database of known facilities with captive wild animals. We will surely call out the owners as well. If you know of any such facilities/oligarchs, please do email us.
JGinNJ // February 19, 2016 at 12:19 am //
“No, humans are not the root of all evil. Clearly you have never heard of the Guinea worm, or countless other parasitic diseases. Or perhaps you are not familiar with viruses such as the one causing polio. What kind of self hate would have one think that humans were the root of all evil?”
Diseases, parasites, or any other organisms cannot be considered evil as they are merely trying to feed themselves, survive, and reproduce. On the other hand, human beings trap, kill, and cage animals (and sometimes each other) for entertainment or greed, not necessity, making them evil.
Privately owned wild animals seems to be a global issue and not just a problem that appears in Armenia. In fact, lions, sharks and other animals are kept in hotels in Las Vegas and Dubai to simply attract and entertain guests and tourists. Others are drugged and kept in cages to serve as a photo props for western tourists in Thailand and many other Asian countries. In other words, the problem with trading wild animals and trophies is much larger than what it seems and we need to take action. We can stop visiting those facilities, hotels, restaurants and countries. We can speak up and explain why we ban such businesses. Only then then we have a chance to decreasing and stopping this injustice.
Stepan Vardanyan was the previous owner and director of that hell hole in the town of Gyumi, Armenia.
Mr. Aramayis Grigoryan, RA Minister of “Nature Protection!!!???”, ARMENIA:
YOUR TITLE DOES NOT REFLECT THE WAY BLACK BEARS ARE ABUSED IN ARMENIA.
Thanks to this WORLWIDE PETITION, the whole world knows about the way you mistreat brown bears.
THIS IS JUST A SMALL PIECE OF THE HUGE CORRUPTION CIRCLE THAT HAS ENGULFED ARMENIANS AND ARMENIA. QUICK FIXES ARE OK, YET NO PERMANENT SOLUTION AT SIGHT.
JGinNJ is wrong when he says humans are not the root of all evil. The Guinea worm is not consciously aware of the agony it causes. A whale playing with a seal, my dog shaking a rabbit to death, is not evil. Humans are the only creatures (on this planet anyway) who knowingly cause suffering. It is that knowledge that makes them evil.
I HATE HUMANS! I PRAY THAT EVERY HUMAN IS GONE & ANIMALS TAKE OVER! ANIMALS DON’T ACT THE WAY THAT PEOPLE DO. I AM NOT A PEOPLE PERSON FOR REASON. ANIMAL LOVER ONLY OTHER THEN MY FAMILY.
I’m confused. You claim to be a part of a process that started in 2009? So, the article was released in January of 2016 and the animals were in new sanctuaries 4 months later. The article did in 4 months what you couldn’t do in 7 years? Why were this poor elderly couple feeding these animals, if you were so involved? Sounds like you are just trying to cover up your ineptitude.