During the latter half of the twentieth century the preservation and the protection of the Earth's wildlife has become of great importance to all the countries of the world. Such concern is often recorded on a nation's coinage and the Royal Mint is proud to strike a limited quantity of silver Proof coins for Armenia in conjunction with the Central Bank's reguest. The coin is included in a prestigious international coin collection featuring endangered and indigenous fauna and flora. The Armenian Seagull is mainly found in the basin of Lake Sevan and Lake Arpi which are considered the main nesting sites in the world. The Armenian Seagull is preserved by the Government and is registered in the Armenian Red Book.

The reverse of the coin was designed by Hrachya Aslanyan.

Larus argentatus armenicus Buturlin Status. It is characterized by limited area and lightly vulnerable nesting biotypes (3-5).

Diffusion. It is annually stayed only in Lake Sevan basin, where also is main nesting colony. It is nested on Arpi-lych islands. It is met by Araks, Hrazdan, and Akhourian rivers. It became ordinary bird in Ararat valley in last years in connection with pond development. However, it does not nested here.

Living places and modern conditions. Before Lake Sevan waters drop it had nested on precipitous rocks by water edge. Equally with favorable nesting conditions was well provided by food owing to high fishes quantity and presence of fish-processing plant wastes. In the following, water edge goes far away from rocks and they become lightly accessible for man and animals. Fishes shortening number and liquidation of fish factory were sharply worsen gulls food basics. In practice, gulls were not nested during several years. In connection with continuing lowering of Lake Sevan waters, were created two islands in Norashen village district, which were successfully mastered by gulls. However, this main nested residence will be again under the water in future because of planned increasing of Sevan mirror by 4-6 meters. Worsening process of natural food basics is continued because of sharp trout number decreasing and stopping of it catching. It leads to gulls concentration around garbage and food objects. Now big role in theirs nourishment plays food wastes.

Quantity in nature. Dynamics of armenian gull absolute quantity are predetermined by nested and food conditions of Lake Sevan basin, which in present time are characterized by big nonstability. Here, in last years is marked some decreasing of gulls number. By average data, in spring habitat 800 individuals, in summer - 700, in fall - 1000 and in winter till 500 individuals. During lake freezing years the main mass of gulls leave Sevan for Araks river system. In the most favorable years before wintering the whole gulls number in Republic does not exceed 1200 heads.

Reproduction. Basic nested colonies are these two islands in Lake Sevan by total square about 3,5 ha. There is marked tendency of nested couples increasing on Lake Arpa. Specificity of inside population relationships stipulates significant various times of nesting. Nesting period is strongly stretched because of trouble factor and eggs right destroyment too, bringing to repeated layings. As a result, in the end of May-beginning of June could be met fresh layings and chicks swimming by groups around islands. In connection with year conditions, from 20 till 86% of gulls (without calculations of not puberty individuals, composing approximately 20% of population) take part in reproduction. Usually laying consists from three eggs, more rare from two, and as rare exception are met four eggs layings.

From 1965 till 1970 in Sevan colony calculated 60-100 nests. In connection with arranged on island fish farm liquidation, colony become to grow. Till 500 layings are marked in the most favorable years. Chicks preserving are predetermined in the first place, by trouble factor degree and stretching of nested period: incubating laying gulls are destroyed all chicks around theirs nests (1,2). As a result of this and also due to food providing during nesting period, preserving of chicks vacillates in 17-56% limits. Competitors, enemies, diseases. It has not serious competitors. It is destroyed by man in all stages. In some years significant losses inflict foxes and dogs. There is marked high helminths infection.

Quantity changing reasons. Destroyment of root nested residences. The main from newformed nested islands becomes peninsula because of Lake Sevan level vacillation and lightly assessable for animals and man. Population of neared villages uses in food eggs and chicks. Adults are hunted because of down. Besides, layings specially destroy fishermen, thinking, that in marketable fishes number decreasing are quilted gulls. Gulls food conditions are sharply worsen. It took place as a consequence of fishes number right decreasing - main objects of food, theirs non accessibility in winter, due to lake level lowering it almost annually freezes. Food wastes, freezing and covering by thick snow layer, are highly accessible in winter period.

Quantity in captivity. No information.

Reproduction in captivity. No information.

Admitted protection measures. It is protected by Republic hunting legislation. There was created "Sevan" National Park and basic gulls residences (Norashen islands) were included in reserved zone. Necessary protection measures. To carry out earth works for stable preserving of nested biotype as an island. To provide reliable protection of gulls both on Lake and on concentration places, near garbage. To lead systematically explanatory work with local population.

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