Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

National scientists seek to artificially increase the number of certain animals, and the Zoology Institute of the ANAS already eyes creation of a vivarium, an area, unusually enclosed, for keeping and raising animals for observation or research.

Zoology Institute director Elman Yusifov told Trend that the vivarium will primarily allow scientists to conduct scientific studies.

“Alongside scientific research, the Institute is going to use this vivarium for growing of pheasants and quails. These birds, rich with vitamins have very dietary meat. By raising such animals we want to bring extra income to the country,” he said.

Yusifov also emphasized that the Institute can also be engaged in raising viper snakes. “Snake venom is very profitable field and it’s widely used in medicine,” he explained.

Snakes produce venom that could be a remedy to many diseases, particularly neuralgia, arthralgia, myalgia, myositis, rheumatism, hypertension, and asthma.

He further added that earlier Azerbaijan has a big base and a farm for collecting viper venom, but later it was destroyed.

Yusifov stressed that the Institute needs a large area for creation of the vivarium. The Institute had 140-hectare plot of land in the Agsu region in the 1970-80s, but returned it back to the government, as the farm designed for snake cultivation there was completely destroyed a result of the collapse of former USSR.

“Now we have the support from the National Academy of Science Azerbaijan. We seek to re-launch production of snake venom and currently are looking for a buyer. I am going to travel to Turkey, Italy and Germany in the near future for talks. This will increase both the Institute’s and the country’s revenues,” he explained.

For about 20 years, the country was the leader in production of viper venom in the Soviet Union. Some 65-70 percent of snake venom produced in the Soviet Union accounted for Azerbaijan.

Experts believe that Azerbaijan may restore the once-lost sphere, as the country currently has the ability to redevelop its venom production capacity and be a leader on production and export of snake venom in the region.

Some types of vipers of high value for medical use inhabit in the Gobustan region of the country. Moreover, two types of scorpions inhabit Azerbaijan, both of which contain valuable venom.

As many as one gram of snake venom costs over $1000, according to the latest data.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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