This fall, ANIMA took on the care of two great white pelicans.
The first one, a juvenile individual, arrived at the First Aid Station on September 21 from Spetses island, where it was found disoriented, having lost his flock during the return trip to Africa, fortunately without any other health issues. It was sent to ANIMA by boat, with the aid of Spetses Care for Animals non-profit civil partnership and the assistance of the Port Authority.
The second one, older but also immature, was found in southern Peloponnese and transported to ANIMA on October 12 by our partners at the Tulipa Goulimi Association. Its migration journey was also cut short when it collided with power lines and suffered extensive burns to one of its wings. Amputation of its wing was deemed necessary for its survival.
The two birds were released together on October 26 at Lake Kerkini, which is an ideal wintering ground for young and disabled great white pelicans. ANIMA was the first organization to take the risk of releasing pelicans that were unable to fly for various reasons in 2018, and it turned out that these animals live and thrive there, enjoying a better quality of life than being kept in a cage or in a space with a small artificial pond. Since then, several pelicans with disabilities have been released at Lake Kerkini, and our last two patients’ release team even spotted some of them.
Anna Kazazou, a member of ANIMA’s Scientific Committee and Board of Directors, undertook the reintegration operation, and Geopedeia team included the transport of the two great white pelicans in their visit to the area. The birds were ringed, tagged, and will now be monitored by our partners at NECCA‘s Management Unit of the Kerkini National Park.
