The wild animals have a special significance in my life because since I was a baby, I could say that I lived around them in my family chalet located in the mountains. However, I have never gotten too close to them not just because I was afraid but also because I believe that human contact with wild animals should be very limited, otherwise animals’ way of life can be disturbed sometimes with tragic consequences. Even if we do not get so close to wild animals, unfortunately, human activity is affecting them very much, therefore I consider that we should feel responsible to protect them and repair the damage that we, humans, made. DRASI AGRIAZOI is an NGO which is fulfilling this mission on a daily basis and I am very thankful that even just for a short period of time I was part of the volunteers’ team, contributing to the rehabilitation of wild animals.

31 organizations unite their voice for the protection of the natural environment.
On the occasion of the World Environment Day, on June 5, 2021, thirty one (31) organizations with recognized work in the protection of the natural environment in Greece, co-signed a joint text. It is the first time that such a large number of organizations set a common framework for the old and new threats against wildlife in our country.

Following is the common press release and an album with photos from the activities of the organizations ...

When I was a child, my mother was often reading me a story about a baby bird who was wounded by a hunter because it did not listen to the advice of its mother. This story made me cry every time as in the end of the story the mother has to take the painful decision of abandoning the baby bird who would have not survived to a long trip and migrate with the other babies to save them from the harsh winter.  The baby bird remains alone and when the snow covers the fields he dies. I always believed that the fate of the baby bird was not fair and every time my mother was close to the end of the story, I kept my eyes closed hoping that this time the story would have another end and a man with a good heart would come to save the baby bird.

I believe that DRASI AGRIAZOI is the one that changes the end of so many stories which otherwise would become tragic. DRASI AGRIAZOI is the hope of the weak, wounded and unlucky baby animals, helping them to return in the wild strong and ready to bring their contribution to the normal cycle of the beautiful nature.

I was thankful to have the unique experience of releasing a strong baby swift back into the wild. I was feeling like I was rewriting the end of the sad story from my childhood. Hope that the baby swift will travel far away over the seas and countries as the baby bird from the story wished: “Mom, I will be fine, won't I? We will travel together over seas and countries, won't we?”

Roman Alina-Maria

Romania

Around 2000 animals are brought to our facilities each year, 40 of which are usually hedgehogs.   Hedgehogs have very specific needs and frequently require a long period of care and rehabilitation, since they are usually badly injured by cars. Many of them stay in our facilities for months, until they are considered ready to be released into the wild. 

Hedgehogs are often found in forests, rural areas and shrublands. However, many are brought to us from the centre of Thessaloniki as well. They are often injured by dogs or other animals or have been hit by cars, since the spines that offer them protection cannot save them from the cars’ wheels. As a result, many hedgehogs are killed each year on our country’s roads. Moreover, they are among the most common victims of forest fires, because they cannot run very fast. In wintertime, they go into hibernation by lowering their body temperature, since it is hard for them to find worms, insects and snails, which are their main diet. 

Creating the right shelter for the rehabilitation of hedgehogs is extremely important for the following reasons: (a) to improve the living conditions of hedgehogs at our centre, (b) to help them return to the wild more quickly and (c) to increase their chances of survival after their release. 

With your valuable help, we are hoping to build an enclosure for their gradual release back into their natural habitat.

A LONG WAY TO RELEASE | Charity Crowdfunding Page with GoGetFunding