The future of the animals from Tsarukyan's zoo has sparked debates on social media.

Users are divided on whether the Yerevan Zoo can provide conditions for exotic animals from Gagik Tsarukyan's private zoo. Some believe the confiscation was justified and consider the private estate an unsuitable place for animals. Human rights activists demanded to clarify the circumstances of the seizure and the death of the lioness, while a deputy from the ruling party pointed out that the animal skins on the walls of the politician and businessman’s house did not concern anyone.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on July 6, law enforcement conducted searches in the house of the leader of the "Prosperous Armenia" party Gagik Tsarukyan and in all his companies. After the searches, Tsarukyan was detained and then arrested for two months on suspicion of fraud and money laundering as part of an organized group. Several opposition forces in Armenia called Tsarukyan's detention political persecution. The prosecutor's office demanded the seizure of his property. Animal rights activists pointed out that a lioness died during transportation to the Yerevan Zoo, and the future of other exotic animals raises concerns.

The publication about the prosecutor's demand for the seizure of Tsarukyan's property garnered 585 comments on the "Caucasian Knot" Facebook page by 00:01 MSK on July 12. The discussion was divided into several directions: a significant portion of users debated the fate of the animals after their seizure, while others linked the situation to Gagik Tsarukyan's personality and the actions of the authorities.

Users are concerned about the fate of the animals after the seizure

Many commentators believe that animals should not suffer due to the conflict over property.

"What do the animals have to do with it? They are not guilty," wrote Karine Zeytuntsyan.

"Don't touch the animals! Let them be fed. What do they have to do with your politics?" noted Angela Avanesyan.

"I only feel sorry for the animals! It's outrageous that they are not being fed and given water. How is this possible?!" expressed Irina Asriyan.

No one will be able to take care of such a number of well-kept animals. They will simply die.

Some believe that the animals need to be kept in safe conditions. The authors of these comments fear that after the seizure, it will be difficult to ensure the previous level of care.

"They overestimated their capabilities; no one will be able to take care of such a number of well-kept animals. They will simply die," believes Silva Silva.

Some users are asking who is currently responsible for the care of the animals.

"These animals are raised and are private property. Where are the animal rights activists?" wrote Nata Khajishvili.

"How can you treat animals like this! Where are those responsible for the animals?" stated Melanija Arutyunova.

Animals should either be free or in a zoo. And the conditions must be normal.

Another group of discussion participants believes that exotic animals belong in specialized institutions.

"Animals should either be free or in a zoo. And the conditions must be normal," noted Elena Lazareva.

Some users are surprised by the scale of the private menagerie.

"12 purebred horses! 9 Nile crocodiles! Doesn't that raise any concerns?!" wrote Sona Yengibaryan.

"There are crocodiles too? For what purpose?" inquired Zina Dobrovolskaya.

Users are discussing the possible consequences for the employees of the private zoo.

"So many people are left without jobs," noted Romella Kasparova.

"People are out of work; who will provide salaries for their families?" asked Svetlana Abrahamyan.

The question of the origin of the property has become a topic of discussion

Some users believe the property is the result of years of business.

"Tsarukyan has been a businessman since the 90s. Everything he has was acquired through business," wrote Marietta Marietta.

"The man earned everything with his mind and hard work!!!" believes Galina Mizinyuk.

In the 90s, there was hunger in Armenia... he couldn't get rich by running a legitimate business.

Other users strongly disagree with this.

"In the 90s, there was hunger in Armenia... he couldn't get rich by running a legitimate business," wrote Romela Airiyan.

"Business in the 90s was racketeering and banditry," believes Liana Tumasova.

Part of the discussion is dedicated to the actions of the authorities. Some users call what is happening a political conflict.

All this show around Tsarukyan is pure political persecution.

"This is revenge from the government," wrote Gagik Margaryan.

"All this show around Tsarukyan is pure political persecution," believes Andrei Kuznetsov.

Others support the actions of the authorities.

"They did the right thing!" wrote Tigran Arakelyan.

"A thief should be in prison," quoted Goar Akobyan from "The Meeting Place Cannot Be Changed".

Users are debating the confiscation of property. Some call it unjust, while others see it as justified.

"By what right to take away, what a disgrace!" wrote Rita Dilanyan.

"Finally, justice will prevail," believes Artur Kad.

The seizure of animals has caused opposing evaluations in Armenia's political circles

The head of the "Civil Contract" faction in the Yerevan Elder Council Armen Galjyan noted that no one was concerned about the skins of numerous animals killed by Tsarukyan, which are hung on the walls of his house, but the death of the lioness led to accusations against the authorities.

Now all opposition representatives will suddenly become "animal defenders." The cause of the lion's death was its old age and accompanying diseases.

"Now all opposition representatives will suddenly become 'animal defenders.' The cause of the lion's death was its old age and accompanying diseases. The animal had affected internal organs - spleen, liver, lungs, heart, cholecystitis changes were found in the gallbladder, it was obese, and free fluid was found in the abdominal cavity. That is why, after anesthesia, the lion did not regain consciousness," his words are quoted by analitic.am.

Lawyers and human rights activists in Armenia called for ensuring the independence of criminal justice regarding the chairman of the "Prosperous Armenia" party, Gagik Tsarukyan, and to provide a legal assessment of the actions regarding the seizure of wild animals belonging to Tsarukyan.

The chairperson of the organization SOL LUCET OMNIBUS Lala Poghosyan noted that there is only one large State Yerevan Zoo in Armenia, and private zoos and private collections of animals exist, but their activities are subject to state regulation.

"Despite the fact that in 2025 the Armenian authorities, together with environmental organizations, announced a course towards gradually abandoning the keeping of wild animals in private facilities and entertainment establishments with their subsequent transfer to specialized rescue centers or zoos that meet animal welfare requirements, this area still needs systematic monitoring, identification of such facilities, their registration, and state control. The maintenance of zoos requires significant financial costs, so it is necessary to regularly check the conditions of animal care, the presence of qualified specialists, and compliance with established requirements. All these issues should be regulated and controlled at the legislative level," she writes on her Facebook page.

The organizations "Environmental Public Union" and the Armenian Center for Human Rights named after A.D. Sakharov issued a statement condemning the actions of state authorities during the transportation of wild animals belonging to the chairman of the "Prosperous Armenia" party, entrepreneur Gagik Tsarukyan.

Hasty intervention, carried out without proper veterinary examination, led to the death of a rare lion.

The text notes that "hasty intervention, carried out without proper veterinary examination, led to the death of a rare lion." The authors of the statement demanded "an independent and transparent investigation."

"It is unacceptable if the animal's health problems became known only after its death, and not as a result of a proper examination conducted in advance. If the procedures established by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia and international treaties were not followed during the intervention of state authorities, the principles of proportionality, requirements for the procedure for anesthetizing animals were violated, and there were no necessary professional opinions and guarantees, then such actions may contradict the fundamental principles of the rule of law enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, the principles of legality and the requirements of lawful administrative management, and also call into question the legality of the actions of the authorized bodies," the text of the statement published on the center's page states.

The death of one of the lions during transportation should become the subject of an independent and effective investigation.

A number of Armenian human rights organizations, in a joint statement, called for ensuring the independence of criminal justice and investigating the circumstances of the detention of the chairman of the "Prosperous Armenia" party, Gagik Tsarukyan, as well as "providing a legal assessment of the actions regarding the seizure of wild animals belonging to Tsarukyan within the framework of the previously initiated criminal proceedings."

"The death of one of the lions during transportation should become the subject of an independent and effective investigation," the authors of the statement, signed by 10 organizations, note.