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A couple of days ago we found a young Falcon, after looking up on internet what type of Falcon it could be, we’d decided it is very similar to that of an Eurasian kestrel, or it could easily be a sparrow hawk…As you see I am not a professional when it comes to birds, let alone wild ones. I immediately contacted ANIMA in Athens to see what I could do. I spoke to one of the volunteers there and after her instructions, I proceeded to follow them. In the meantime I contacted our wildlife expert here on our Island, Nicole.
Illegal.
First of all trying to keep a wild bird or in this case a bird of prey is illegal. You can actually get fined quite a lot of money and brought before a court of law. For this reason alone if you ever come across a wild bird that needs help, get in touch with the proper authorities or volunteers, ANIMA is one such organisation.
Main objects of ANIMA.
One of the main objectives of ANIMA, is the nursing and rehabilitation of wild animals in their natural environment. In collaboration with other organisations dealing with the care of wild animals, trying to meet a basic need for the protection and maintenance of wild life in our country, the volunteers are often at the front line, we saw this with the fires in Athens and other parts of Greece. If it was not for ANIMA a lot of animals would have died.
Receiving wild animals from all over Greece. ANIMA nurses in annual base above 4.000 birds, mammals and reptiles. Among these animals many rare threatened and endangered wild animals. Today my bird of prey will be in their hands.
Veterinary care:-
ANIMA collaborates on a stable basis with a veterinarian to carry out all necessary examinations and surgeries. X-rays, as well as specialized operative treatments performed in this context. Four veterinarians participate in the Scientific Committee of ANIMA.
As ANIMA receives a large number of phone calls and messages daily. One of its main actions is to provide advice for first aid to citizens and organizations for injured / orphaned wildlife. The advise I received may have saved the poor soul we found.
So, what was the advise? We had to put it in a box, lined with paper or a towel and make sure it was in a quiet area so as to calm the bird down. First thing in the morning, I had to take it to our local bus station where it would be transferred to Athens via KTEL of Zakynthos,
I must note that I wasn’t charged for the transportation fee, as the lady said… “it is for a good cause”. I then rang ANIMA again and spoke to a lovely lady named Maria…. They were busy, very busy! She actually apologised for the rushed conversation as it was chaotic at the time I called. She did however; ensure that the bird would be picked up from the Athens station by one of the volunteers.
Meanwhile Nicole also mentioned that giving the bird water with a little sugar can help, too. she also reassured me if I needed anything she was there to help. That made me feel good knowing that someone on our island was there if needed, even though we don’t have a care centre.
In addition to all the volunteer work they do, ANIMA undertakes the training of teams and operators in providing first aid and dealing with emergencies involving wildlife. Also, informs all those who follow the Official Site (in Facebook there are more than 60.000 individuals), for the correct behaviour and confrontation of incidents of wounded wildlife nestlings.
More specifically:
Provides advice on First Aids before sending wild animals in the facilities
Guides citizens and organizations on how to handle misguided nestlings in case they are capable to return in their nest and be fed by their parents
Trains organizations and groups of citizens in wildlife care . As well as in more specific matters e.g. recognition and handling of reptiles (in cooperation with the Fire Department)
Trains volunteers and citizens to provide First Aids to wildlife.
Let’s help!!!
If you would like to help ANIMA in their quest to help our wildlife, click on their web site for more any little donation can go a long way https://www.wild-anima.gr/en/direct-donation/
They also need things like newspapers for the use of their pens and even food such as wild bird seed, split corn and even canned food such as a / d and i / d (pictures below)
As for helping injured or wild animals in general they ask the following:-
We recommend you follow the following:
-Take a photo of the animal and send the photo to ANIMA, via viber, WhatsApp, sms, email. The phone number is 6972664675, 2109510075. This should be done to identify a species and assess whether it really needs help. If you do not have the proper equipment, just call.
-If the animal really needs help, pack it according to the instructions that will be given to you. You will also receive instructions on whether you need to give water or food if you are dealing with a baby.
– Are you in Athens or Attica? Bring it directly to the Station. We will not come to your house to get it. There is no such possibility. Our volunteers either help at the Station or transport the animals that come to the KTEL bus stations or to the ports, we do not employ them for home delivery, especially during the coronavirus period. Some of those who call us are very pushy and give us bad reviews for this reason but it can not be done otherwise. We are open ten hours every day, both on Easter Sunday and May Day, the volume of work is huge, we ask you to take some time to get to our Station in Kallithea, we are next to the train station (Taurus) and always it is possible to send the animal unaccompanied by taxi if you want to bear the cost.
-Are you in the countryside? All of the above apply to the operating instructions. If we have a partner near you, we will contact you, as well as if there is a nearest care center. If not, we will give you instructions on how to send the animal by bus to Athens.
We work with you, we can not do it alone !!!
They truly are a Godsend to us on how to deal with situations I experienced first hand, and of course to the animals they are saving.
It turns out that our little guy is indeed a Falcon known as Falco tinnunculus, apparently the bird is quite weak but will do well, thanks to the volunteers at ANIMA.
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