Armenia’s Investigative Committee (IC) today reports that it has launched criminal proceedings against two individuals for killing an endangered bezoar ibex (a native wild goat subspecies) in the country’s south-central Vayots Dzor province.

The IC, in a statement, says the two suspects used an illegal hunting rifle to kill the bezoar ibex that is listed in Armenia’s Red Book of Endangered Species.

The IC writes the incident caused the state property damage in the amount of AMD three million ($8,007) and that the suspects repaid the amount.

Thus, according to the state, each endangered bezoar ibex has an estimated worth of $8,007.

How the IC came up with this number remains a puzzle.

There are approximately 1,000 to 2,000 bezoar ibex in Armenia and live in the Syunik, Vayots Dzor, and Ararat provinces.

The endangered bezoar ibex and Armenian mouflon are promoted as tourist attractions.