ANIMA, utilizing its long-standing experience in caring for thousands of wild animals each year, has emerged as an important international producer and disseminator of scientific knowledge on critical issues involving wildlife, including zoonoses. Its unique access to primary samples allows ANIMA to conduct and support innovative research, with particularly important results published in international scientific journals and presented at global conferences. Indicative examples include:
Retrospective study of infectious and parasitic diseases in wild carnivorous mammals
(ANIMA / Department of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki / VET IN PROGRESS PLUS)
Between 2020 and 2025, more than 70 wild carnivorous mammals were examined, including the marten, for which there were no epizootiological data in Greece. Complete haematological, biochemical and serological tests were performed for serious infectious and parasitic diseases, some of which are transmitted to pets and humans. Extremely high rates of infection with Toxoplasma gondii (80%), distemper virus, leptospirosis, and other pathogens were found. Of particular importance is the first record of Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm) in badgers in Crete, even though the island is considered low risk for the disease. Babesia (blood parasite) was also detected for the first time in a jackal. Animals diagnosed with any of these diseases receive appropriate treatment before being released.
First record of blood parasites in birds of prey
(ANIMA / Department of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki / State Scientific Research Institute Nature Research Centre / Department of Animal Science, Agricultural University of Athens)
For the first time in Greece, infection by significant blood parasites was recorded in many species of birds of prey, with some showing a particularly high frequency. These parasites are internationally reported to cause serious pathology, even death and population extinction. It is noteworthy that many of the parasites detected were previously unknown and were registered for the first time in the global GenBank.
Pioneering therapeutic trial in buzzards
(ANIMA / Department of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki / State Scientific Research Institute Nature Research Centre / Department of Animal Science, Agricultural University of Athens)
ANIMA successfully conducted the first therapeutic trial on buzzards infected with blood parasites, using medication used to treat malaria in humans. The relevant scientific publication is expected soon.
Innovative treatment protocol for treating lung parasites in hedgehogs
(ANIMA / Department of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki / Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health)
A recent study by ANIMA identified a high incidence of lung parasite infection in hedgehogs, which is the most serious threat to the species reported worldwide. ANIMA applied a new treatment protocol for the first time, involving the oral administration of a pharmaceutical ampoule for cats, resulting in the complete recovery of the animals. The relevant study is expected to be published soon.
Discovery of a new parasite in griffon vultures from Crete
(ANIMA / Department of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki / State Scientific Research Institute Nature Research Centre)
The presence of the Sarcocystis parasite in griffon vultures has been recorded for the first time worldwide. The parasite settles in muscle tissue and can be transmitted to carnivores, but also to humans through the consumption of contaminated meat. The research was based on a sample that was unprecedented for Greece (59 individuals) and the diagnosis was confirmed using molecular techniques (PCR) on the birds’ blood – a unique achievement on a global level (confirmation of the diagnosis of Sarcocystis requires histopathological examination of muscle tissue).
The above results highlight ANIMA’s significant scientific contribution to the study of wildlife health, both in Greece and internationally. Through systematic recording, diagnosis and innovative therapeutic interventions, ANIMA bridges wildlife care with scientific research, contributing significantly to the conservation of biodiversity and the protection of public health.
Articles in international scientific journals
- Rudaitytė-Lukošienė E, Palinauskas V, Markakis G, Butkauskas D, Prakas P. Detection of Sarcocystis halieti DNA in the Blood of Western House Martin (Delichon urbicum) and Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) from Lithuania, and in Eurasian Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) from Greece. Acta Parasitol. 2025 Aug 13;70(4):180. doi: 10.1007/s11686-025-01119-7. PMID: 40801983
- Vourvidis, D., Makka, S., Baniasadi, V., Perdikaris, S., Emmanouil, M., Tzouganatou, G., Gonzalez, B. M., Kofidou E., Markakis G., Papadogiannakis, E., Komnenou, A., Angelakis, E. Genotyping of Coxiella Burnetii in Ticks Collected from Wildlife in Greece. Journal of Biotechnology and Biomedicine. 8 (2025): 141-147. https://www.fortunejournals.com/articles/genotyping-of-coxiella-burnetii-in-ticks-collected-from-wildlife-in-greece.html
- Markakis, G., Palinauskas, V., Aželytė, J. et al. First assessment of the prevalence of haemosporidian infections in Accipitriformes raptors in Greece. Parasitol Res 124, 2 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-024-08445-1
- Markakis, G., Sioutas, G., Bitchava, D. Komnenou, A., Ganoti, M., Papadopoulos, E. 2024. Is the European badger a new host for Dirofilaria immitis? The first records in Greece.Parasitol Res 123, 118 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-024-08141-0
- Vezyrakis, A., Bontzorlos, V., Rallis, G., Ganoti, M. 2023. Two decades of wildlife rehabilitation in Greece: major threats, admission trends and treatment outcomes from a prominent rehabilitation centre. Journal for Nature Conservation (2023) 73, Article 126372, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2023.126372
- Burri, R., Antoniazza, S., Gaigher, A., Ducrest, A.L., Simon, C., The European Barn Owl Network, Fumagalli, L., Goudet, J. and Roulin, A. (2016), The genetic basis of colour-related local adaptation in a ring-like colonization around the Mediterranean.Evolution, 70(1): 140-153. https://doi.org/10.1111/evo.12824
- Bounas, A., Ganoti, M., Giannakaki, E., Akrivos, A., Vavylis, D., Zorrilla, I., Saravia, V. 2016. First confirmed case of lead poisoning in the endangered Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) in the Balkans. Vulture News 70: 22-29. DOI: 10.4314/vulnew.v70i1.2
- Magioris, S., Ganoti, M. 1992. Inventaire de la faune de Grèce. État de biotopes et des populations d’ espèces menacées. Missions dans l’île de Naxos, 23 au 25 mars 1989 et 23 au 26 avril 1989. Biologia Gallo-hellenica 19: 119-134 (203-218)
- Dragoumis, P., Ganoti, M. 1992: Inventaire de la faune de Grèce. État de biotopes et des populations d’ espèces menacées. Missions dans l’île de Tinos, 24 au 26 mars 1989. Biologia Gallo-hellenica 19: 104-105 (188-189)
Announcements at conferences
- Ozaki, S.,…, Ganoti, M. et al. Biomonitoring of metals and second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides at the pan-European scale from 1996 to 2021 with wild Common Buzzards (Buteo buteo). SETAC Europe 34th Annual Meeting, Seville, Spain. 5 – 9 May 2024.
- Movalli P., …. Ganoti M. et al. 2024. Time trends (1996-2021) in PCB and PBDE congeners and in ΣPCBs and ΣPBDEs residue concentrations in the common buzzard Buteo buteo in 11 European countries in relation to restrictions on chemicals use. SETAC Europe 34th Annual Meeting, Seville, Spain. 5 – 9 May 2024.
- Markakis G. et al, 2024. “Is the European badger a new host for Dirofilaria immitis? The first records in Greece”, 39th World Veterinary Association Congress, Cape Town International Convention Center, Cape Town (South Africa), 16-19 April 2024.
- Markakis G. et al, 2024. “First assessment of the prevalence of haemosporidian infections in Accipitriformes raptors in Greece”, 39th World Veterinary Association Congress, Cape Town International Convention Center, Cape Town (South Africa), 16-19 April 2024.
- Markakis G. et al, 2024. “Identification of new haemosporidians in griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus)”, 39th World Veterinary Association Congress, Cape Town International Convention Center, Cape Town (South Africa), 16-19 April 2024.
- Markakis G. et al., 2023. first assessment of the prevalence of haemosporidian infection of raptors in Greece”, European Veterinary Parasitology College Congress, National Veterinary School of Alfort, Paris (France), 29-30 June 2023.
- Markakis G. et al., 2023. first case of Dirofilaria immitis detected in a European badger (Meles meles) in Greece. 2023. European Veterinary Parasitology College Congress, National Veterinary School of Alfort, Paris (France), 29-30 June 2023.
- Markakis G. et al., 2023. Identification, frequency, phylogeny and risk factors of Haemosporida infection of birds of prey in Greece”. 2023. 10th conference of the Scandinavian-Baltic Society for Parasitology, University of Tartu Library, Tartu (Estonia), 5-7 June 2023. (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vsoH8j7svL7pISI1RKSyy4t_hwS0GMIO/view)
- Komnenou, A., Chaintoutis, S.C., Stylianaki, I., Markakis G., Ganoti M., Papadopoulos, E. 2022. Investigation of mortality causative factors in critical bird species of the wild fauna. 15th Panhellenic Veterinary Conference, Athens, 4-6 November 2022 (p.23)
- Markakis, G., Papadopoulos, E., Bitchava D., Komnenou, A. 2022. Prevalence of infectious and parasitic diseases in wild carnivorous. 15th Panhellenic Veterinary Congress, Athens, 4-6 November 2022 (p.188)
- Rallis G., Ganoti M., Spyridaki, A., Vezyrakis, A., Akrivos, A., Tsatsou, C., Markakis, G., Giannakaki, I., Lymberakis, P. 2022. 15th International Congress on the Zoogeography and Ecology of Greece and Adjacent Regions. Mytilini, Greece, 12-15 October 2022.
- Markakis G. et al., “Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) admissions in ANIMA wildlife rehabilitation centre”, Lesser Kestrel Balkan Expert Workshop, Svilengrad & Stara Zagora (Bulgaria), 18-21 September 2022.
- Tsiakiris, R., Ganoti, M., Stoynov, E. et al. 2021: International cooperation and urgent actions for the restoration of the last viable vulture population in west Greece. 10th HELECOS “Ecology and the conservation of Nature: advances and retreats in an age of crisis”. Ioannina, Greece, 14-17 October 2021.
- ANIMA 2019, Kazazou, International Meeting on diagnosis and rehabilitation of large raptors, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Kazazou A., Ganoti M. 2018. vulture cases in ANIMA & “PROCEEDINGS of the International Workshop on: The Future of Vultures in Balkans: Tackling Threats and Building Network Opportunities, Messolonghi, Greece, 7-9 December 2018.
- ANIMA, 2016. Snakes found in Attica, 1st Herpetological Symposium, Kifissia, 5 November 2016
- ANIMA, 2016. ANIMA, Ecological research “outside the walls”. 8th Panhellenic Conference of Ecology, Thessaloniki, 23 October 2016.
- Meliadou A., Ganoti M. 2015. National Wildlife Observation Network: a Citizen Science Project. 13th International Congress on the Zoogeography and Ecology of Greece and Adjacent Regions. Irakleio, Greece, 7-11 October 2015.
- Ganoti, M., Fric, J., Akrivos, A. 2012. analysis of ANIMA wildlife rehabilitation centre data for the period 2008-2011. 12th International Congress on the Zoogeography and Ecology of Greece and Adjacent Regions. Athens, Greece, 18-22 June 2012.
- ANIMA, 2011: Illegal killing, trapping and trade of birds in Greece, European Conference on illegal killing of birds, Larnaca, 8 July 2011.
Free announcements (Posters)
- Silent predators in the city: Quantifying the conservation impact of domestic cats on urban wildlife in Greece (PDF)
- Seroprevalence and Geographical distribution of Selected Infectious and Parasitic Diseases in Wild Carnivores in Greece: A Retrospective Study 2020-2025 (PDF)
- Cases of lungworm infections in hedgehogs (Erinaceus roumanicus) in Greece and their therapeutic approach (PDF)
- Identification of new haemosporidians in griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) (PDF)
- First assessment of the prevalence of haemosporidian infections in accipitriformes raptors in Greece (PDF)
- First assessment of the prevalence of haemosporidian infection of raptors in Greece (Paris) (PDF)
- Identification, frequency, phylogeny and risk factors of haemosporida infection of birds of prey in Greece (Estonia) (PDF)
- Prevalence of infectious and parasitic diseases in wild carnivores (PDF)
- Lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) admissions in ANIMA wildlife rehabilitation centre (PDF)
- Insights on morbidity causes of raptors in Greece through ANIMA rehabilitation centre admitted cases (PDF)
- PARATIRO – Science with Citizens for Wildlife Protection (PDF)
- National Wildlife Observation Network: A Citizen Science Project – Greek (PDF)
- National Wildlife Observation Network: A Citizen Science Project (PDF)
- Time trends (1996-2021) in PCB and PBDE congeners and in ΣPCBs and ΣPBDEs residue concentrations in the common buzzard (Buteo buteo) in 11 European countries in relation to restrictions on chemicals use (PDF)
- Biomonitoring of metals and second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides at the pan-European scale from 1996 to 2021 with wild Common Buzzards (Buteo buteo) (PDF)
