Yerevan Primate Center

Where Conservation, Education & Compassion Meet

Primate Residents

Our residents are individuals with stories and personalities. They live in enriched, safe habitats designed to mimic their natural environments.

Charlie the Chimpanzee

Charlie – Chimpanzee

Playful, intelligent, and social.

Olive the Orangutan

Olive – Orangutan

Gentle problem-solver and fruit lover.

Milo the Macaque

Milo – Macaque

Curious and highly social.

Luna the Lemur

Luna – Lemur

Energetic and bright.

Koko the Gorilla

Koko – Gorilla

A gentle giant with a peaceful heart.

Ruby the Red Howler

Ruby – Red Howler

Vocal, expressive, and treetop enthusiast.

Max the Capuchin

Max – Capuchin

Resourceful and always busy.

Leo the Baboon

Leo – Baboon

Strong, protective, and family-oriented.

Zara the Gibbon

Zara – Gibbon

Acrobatic and highly active.

Charlie the Chimpanzee

Charlie – Chimpanzee

Playful, intelligent, and social.

Olive the Orangutan

Olive – Orangutan

Gentle problem-solver and fruit lover.

Milo the Macaque

Milo – Macaque

Curious and highly social.

Luna the Lemur

Luna – Lemur

Energetic and bright.

Koko the Gorilla

Koko – Gorilla

A gentle giant with a peaceful heart.

Ruby the Red Howler

Ruby – Red Howler

Vocal, expressive, and treetop enthusiast.

Max the Capuchin

Max – Capuchin

Resourceful and always busy.

Leo the Baboon

Leo – Baboon

Strong, protective, and family-oriented.

Zara the Gibbon

Zara – Gibbon

Acrobatic and highly active.

About Us

The Yerevan Primate Center is Armenia’s first sanctuary dedicated to the ethical care, rehabilitation, and lifelong protection of primates. Our mission is to create a safe, enriching, and respectful environment where primates are treated with dignity and where people can build a deeper connection with the natural world. We are not a zoo or an entertainment venue — we are a place of learning, compassion, and responsibility, where every animal is valued as a living being with emotional, social, and cognitive needs.

Our center is designed to bring animals and people together in a meaningful way, encouraging curiosity, empathy, and awareness. Through carefully developed educational programs, guided school visits, conservation workshops, and interactive learning experiences, we help children and families understand the importance of wildlife protection and environmental stewardship. By engaging the community and inspiring the next generation, we aim to foster a culture that respects nature, supports conservation, and recognizes that protecting primates also means protecting the ecosystems we all depend on.

Our Vision

Pioneering Ethical Leadership in the Region
We envision Armenia not just participating in global conservation, but actively leading it. By establishing a premier model of ethical wildlife protection, we aim to transform the Caucasus region into a beacon of animal welfare. This vision involves shifting the cultural mindset from viewing wildlife as a resource or entertainment, to recognizing them as living beings deserving of dignity and protection.

The Sanctuary Philosophy: Dignity Over Display
Our center draws a firm line between exploitation and rehabilitation. We are not a zoo. We do not breed animals for captivity, nor do we force them to perform or be on display for human amusement. Instead, we are a true sanctuary—a safe haven designed entirely around the physical and psychological needs of the animals.

Healing and Protecting Rescued Primates
Primates are highly intelligent, deeply emotional beings that suffer immensely in the illegal pet trade, entertainment industry, or substandard living conditions. Our primary mission is to offer these rescued individuals a second chance at life.

The Intersection of Science, Learning, and Compassion
We believe that lasting change happens through education. Our sanctuary serves as a living laboratory and classroom. We aim to inspire empathy, protect rescued primates, and create a place where science, learning, and compassion grow together.

We Are Looking to Hire

Procurement

Full-time

We are seeking a detail-oriented professional to manage our supply chains. You will be responsible for sourcing ethical, high-quality nutrition for the primates and acquiring sustainable operational materials for the sanctuary.

Apply on LinkedIn →

Computer Engineer

Tech & Operations

Looking for a tech innovator to develop and maintain our sanctuary management systems, upgrade our website infrastructure, and build interactive educational touch-screens for our conservation classroom.

Apply on LinkedIn →

Management

Leadership

Searching for an experienced and compassionate leader to oversee daily sanctuary operations, coordinate our specialized staff, and ensure the highest standards of animal care and visitor experience.

Apply on LinkedIn →

The Founders

Serge Hovnanian

Serge Hovnanian

Founder & Director

Serge is the visionary leader behind the Yerevan Primate Center, combining his analytical background in mechanical engineering with a lifelong passion for wildlife. Having traveled extensively to the natural habitats of apes, monkeys, and chimpanzees across the globe, Serge developed a deep understanding of their complex emotional and physical needs. He believes that every family in Armenia deserves the opportunity to connect with and learn about these incredible beings without needing to travel the world. His ultimate mission is to create a sanctuary of the highest standard, ensuring these animals feel completely at home while inspiring the next generation of conservationists.

Roland Haddad

Roland Haddad

Co-Founder & Director of Animal Welfare

Roland combines a sharp background in business and consulting with a dedication to sustainable sanctuary management. He oversees the vital operations surrounding the health, nutrition (alimentation), and ethical reproduction of our animal population. By applying his strategic consulting expertise to wildlife conservation, Roland ensures the center operates efficiently and scales responsibly. He is committed to providing world-class dietary and population management programs that guarantee the long-term flourishing of our primate residents.

Tony Zammar

Tony Zammar

Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

Tony drives the digital and technological innovation at the center. He is responsible for integrating advanced technologies into both animal care and visitor education. From designing interactive touch-screens for our conservation classrooms to managing the sanctuary’s internal climate-control habitats and data systems, Tony ensures that the center remains at the cutting edge. His work bridges the gap between nature and technology, creating immersive learning experiences for our visitors and optimal, safe living conditions for our residents.

Get In Touch

Have questions about our center, or partnership opportunities? We would love to hear from you.

info@yerevanprimatecenter.com