Both orchards and animals are now protected in Meghri by the World Wildlife Fund.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Armenian Office has found a solution for protecting orchards in Meghri, Syunik province, from brown bears without harming the animals, which are registered in the Red Book of Endangered Species.
Six residents of Nrnadzor, Shvanidzor and Alvank villages are paid 200 Euros each to protect orchards before the end of the harvesting in late November, using whistles and special signals during night-watches and hope to drive the bears back to forests. Employees of Arevik National Park, who deal with security issues of animals in the region, will support them.