How the world sees Greece
If you’ve had enough of strolling around popular Athenian neighborhoods, why not take a unique journey through five continents without leaving Greece? Founded by Jean-Jacques Lesueur, the Attica Zoological Park was opened in 2000 in Spata initially as a Bird Park, and today hosts over 2,000 animals representing 350 species. With a total area of […] The post The Attica Zoological Park appeared first on The National Herald.
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Who says there are no sharks in Greek waters?
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Hundreds of cats are loose on the streets, and food is running low for some residents of Athens' zoo. It isn't just humans who are suffering as Greece tries to claw its way out of economic crisis.
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It's not just humans having too little to eat in Greece. Zoo animals are seeing shortages because of capital controls on bank withdrawals. The post Greek Zoo Food Running Low appeared first on The National Herald.
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The traditional Greek fisherman casting a net from his small wooden caique is a postcard image of the Mediterranean. In the past, these fishermen ...
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The traditional Greek fisherman casting a net from his small wooden caique is a postcard image of the Mediterranean. In the past, these fishermen ...
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By Cliff Blaylock There is a great fascination among many of us when it comes to ocean faring animals. Perhaps it is the mystery that allures us. Whatever the reason may be, people cross continents, brave stormy seas and shell out thousands to catch glimpses of some of the ocean’s most remarkable creatures. Some of those can be found in the crystal clear waters of Greece. Monk Seals The rarest of all, the Monk Seal is a cave dwelling species of the seldom-seen animal. With just over 600 animals left in the wild, this truly is a rare breed of seal. Pushed this way by man, hunting and the destruction of their habitat, their number have been so greatly reduced that when a new seal colony was discovered, it was kept secret to protect the animals. These animals are tough to find but a trip to the Alonissos Island National Marine Park in Greece is by far your best bet. A stable population feed in this stretch of water and the rest in the coast’s network of caves. It might take you a while to spot one but nowhere else in the Mediterranean is better for it. Sperm Whales By far the largest animal to grace the oceans surrounding Greece is the mighty Sperm Whale. Capable of reaching 20 meters in length and 60 tons in weight, these squid fighting goliaths are an awe-inspiring sight to behold, above or below the water. However, given their affinity for diving to great depths, you have to be pretty on the ball to find them. There are two well-known locations for Sperm Whale sightings: the violent Hellenic trench and the Aegean Sea. The former is your best chance of finding them, the trench’s deep waters are their favorite hunting spot. However, the swells in this area get pretty big and it is not recommended in anything other than large, fully equipped vessels. Instead then, head out into the Aegean Sea on the eastern side of Greece. Your best chance of finding one is off the coast of the central islands, such as Mykonos, where the animal is spotted between the months of May and September. Common Dolphin Dolphins are on the must see list for many people and luckily they are found in abundance all over the world. The difficulty however, is pinpointing them. Intelligent, small – compared to the ocean anyway – and quick, spotting a dolphin takes time, dedication and a whole lot of luck. Some places are better for catching glimpses than others, and in Greece, that place is the Gulf of Corinth. A semi-closed off section of the Ionian sea, this gulf is surrounded by beautiful scenery that worth a visit even without the dolphins. However, dolphins are present here and if you are looking for a sighting, it is best to scour the coastal regions. The sheltered nature of the gulf means the waters are often smooth and still, allowing for easier sightings. Of course, it is entirely possible to catch sight of dolphins riding the waves of cruise ships or frolicking in the water wherever you are in Greece, but if you really want to see them first hand, this gulf is your best bet. Loggerhead Turtles Perhaps the easiest to find of all on this list, the Loggerhead Turtles of Zakynthos are a magnificent sight to behold. Lumbersome and awkward as they come ashore to lay their eggs, but once in the water, these agile and sublime creatures float around gracefully. While they are popular animals in aquariums across the world, to see one in the wild is really rather special. As mentioned above, the best place to see these turtles is Zakynthos. Along its southern coast during the months of April, May and June, on the bay of Laganas, to be precise. You might catch them laying eggs on the beach, although you are more likely to spot them out in the water, waiting for the right moment to make their nest. Basking Sharks The second biggest of the shark family, but don’t let their name fool you. These harmless creatures swim about, mouth gaping, trying to swallow up any plankton and krill they can find. Easy to spot, thanks to their dorsal fins and affinity for surface dwelling prey, you will spot them off the coast of Rhodes. Unlike other sharks, who you might not be so tempted to get in the water with, this gentle tempered and slow moving fish makes for an incredible diving experience. Travel about the Greek coast with Deep Blue Yachting and try your luck at finding all of these incredible creatures.
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Warmer oceans will put the chill on sea turtle behavior, causing the endangered animals to stop basking on beaches within the next century. That's the surprising take-away from a new analysis of turtle surveys and satellite data published Jan. 14, 2015 in the journal Biology Letters. The big green turtles--adults weigh 240 to 420 pounds and have carapaces spanning three to four feet--gather on sunny beaches around the world to raise their body temperatures. The cooler the ocean, the more they bask. But the analysis--a close look at six years of turtle surveys and 24 years of satellite data--suggests the behavior will end globally by 2102 if global warming trends continue. In Hawaii, the primary focus of the new research, it could end as soon as 2039. "By comparing turtle basking counts with sea surface temperatures, we found that green turtles tend not to bask when local winter sea surface temperatures stay above 23 degrees Celsius," Dr. Kyle S. Van Houtan, adjunct associate professor at Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment in Durham, N.C., said in a written statement. As the endangered turtles cut back on basking, Van Houtan told The Huffington Post in an email, they may experience immune system problems, delayed maturity, and slower growth. But he said there was no indication the basking cutback would affect the turtles' survival. Van Houtan said he and his collaborators at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the University of Ioannina in Greece were "impressed by how climate influences seemingly every aspect of sea turtles' lives. Understanding this today will aid us greatly in preparing and adapting for a changed future." Sounds like a sea change for sure--and a rather sad one.
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An animal charity in Greece says an orphaned baby seal from an endangered species is likely to survive after receiving 25 days of treatment at a zoo ...
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An animal charity in Greece says an orphaned baby seal from an endangered species is likely to survive after receiving 25 days of treatment at a zoo near Athens.
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When thinking of Greece and wildlife, what’s likely to come to mind is sea creatures and sheep. But Greece, which in ancient times used to host wild lions, is today home to a number of land mammals including wild goats, foxes, wolves, deer, and bears. Based in the mountainous village of Nymfaio in northwestern Greece, […] The post Arcturos Environmental Center appeared first on The National Herald.
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A 3-million-year-old fossil of a gigantic bear discovered in the village of Milia in Grevena in northern Greece proves once again that the Greek palaeo-environment was favorable to the development of creatures of such enormous size. In the past, Grevena scientists have discovered the largest tusks in the world (5.02 m.) in the village of Milia. The scientific name of the gigantic bear is agriotherium, according to Assistant Professor of Paleontology Evangelia Tsoukala at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Speaking in a recent Thessaloniki conference devoted to the study of the bear, Tsoukala also referenced the discovery of a heel of the left tarsus of the first paleolithic agriotherium found in the area. “The size of the heel, which is 25 percent bigger in relation with a brown bear, is indicative of the size of animal,” said Tsoukala. Scientific research has revealed that the agriotherium co-existed with a smaller prehistoric bear known as the ursus etruscus. The two lived in the region of Greece 1.5 million years ago, when there was an abundance of flora in the region and water temperatures were higher than they are today. Tsoukala also discussed the 5,000 deciduous teeth found in the cave of Loutra in Almopia Speleopark in northern Greece. They belong to the ursus ingressus, a species of cave bear which disappeared at the end of the Pleistocene period, approximately 10,000 years ago. Tsoukala’s dream is to found a national museum of natural history in northern Greece that will house the region’s major fossil discoveries.
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A British businessman organized a fundraiser to rescue a neglected tiger kept in a Greek zoo. David Barnes, owner of a book store in the UK, has almost raised the £11,500 required to save the 485lb tiger, named Phevos, from a bankrupt Greek zoo in the city of Trikala. Phevos, the 15-year-old tiger, has been alone in his cage since March, when his companion Athena died after an infected wound on her paw was left untreated. The tiger was rescued from a travelling Italian circus by the Greek authorities in 2001 and was transferred to Trikala zoo. However the zoo went bankrupt due to the financial crisis and the tiger was left alone and neglected. Since then, the 62-year-old Barnes, who used to work for the Animal Welfare Fund in Greece and has saved dozens of exotic animals during the past 20 years, has been trying to find a new home for Phevos. Eventually, he managed to raise the money required and Phevos will be transferred to a sanctuary near San Diego, California, in the US. “I have raised just over £10,400, so just £1,100 to go. Whatever I’m short of, will go on my credit card,” reported Barnes who is waiting on the necessary paperwork for the tiger’s transportation. Barnes thanked everyone who donated and helped Phevos find a better home.
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A Rutland businessman will fulfil a labour of love by re-homing a tiger from a Greek zoo to a sanctuary for big cats in the US. Phevos, a 15-year-old, ...
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A brown bear that became caught in a man-made trap in the area of Parakalamo, in the northwestern regional unit of Ioannina, was rescued on Monday by members of the animal welfare groups Arcturos and Callisto. There has been an increase recently in instan... ...
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