Only tape "red worms"
There is more control over red worms after they were included in Armenia's Red Book. That is why employees of the Matenadaran were not able to collect red worms from the Margara fields and were only able to tape scenes with Lithuanian experts.
The RA Ministry of Nature Protection and the Institute of Zoology at the National Academy of Sciences are involved in issues concerning red worms.
Matenadaran employee Armen Sahakyan has been interested in red worms for many years. He has been able to receive carmine dye and prepare creams. Mr. Sahakyan finds that more control over this rare animal will allow it to grow and reproduce.
Yerevan State University used to receive carmine from "red worms". There was a department where it was possible to receive dye through chemical experiments, but that department no longer exists and there are no new experts.
According to representative of the Department of Zoology and Herpetology at the RA Ministry of Nature Protection Aram Aghasyan, the department could be opened and it could be exploited as a commerce center since red worms can be applied in many spheres, including food, industry, art and more.
However, he also says there is no need to reopen the YSU department because it will turn into a business like everything else. "Now they will move on to red worms. Let them grow and reproduce. If many people know about it, they will go after that."
There are currently many miniature paintings with the carmine from red worms, but they are no longer foreseen for exhibitions. According to Armen Sahakyan, there is no possibility to display them at the Matenadaran due to space. He says it would be appropriate to move the miniature paintings to Noravank and organize exhibitions there.
