Her tracks wild life they are increasingly appearing in the suburbs and in the surrounding mountainous areas basin of athens. This is a reminder that we are not alone on the planet, but also a new challenge that causes problems that we must solve with respect for nature.

In previous months, 15 wild boars fell into the traps he set. Mount Egaleo The Ecological Association of the Municipalities of Athens – Piraeus, which is responsible for the civil protection of the mountain.

“This is the first time we have caught wild boars. There were reports from residents and mountain walkers, we saw signs, but not a single animal. Under the supervision of the forest department, and always with wildlife in mind, we have set up large enclosures in which food is placed, and as soon as the boar enters, they are closed. says Mr. Grigoris Gurdomihalis “K”., President of the Ecological Association of Municipalities of Athens – Piraeus. “Then the animals are carefully transported to areas above Mandra and released there,” he adds.

But they’re not the only ones a wild boar. The wolves come down with them and take care of their cubs. wild boars, since large animals are not so easily affected. So far, not a single wolf has been seen on Mount Egaleo. “We have seen wolves in the mountainous areas in Megara, Mandra and also in the northern suburbs of Athens. They move mainly in mountainous areas, in Pateras and Kitaironas mountains“, says Mr. Gurdomichalis, as in Parnita. Wolves attack deer, and domestic animals (such as dogs) also need great care in the places where they are present.

The spread of wild boar, among other problems, raises concerns about serious car accidents. “Because these are large animals, a potential collision could cause serious damage. Wild boars cross the forested area of ​​Haidari and reach Shistos,” notes the president of PESYDAP. According to the Association, wild boars cross the Athens-Korinth highway, as there are places where the fence is worn out. Signs have recently been erected in these areas to warn of the passage of wild boars. Of course, it would be much more profitable to repair the fence. On the other hand, there is no fence on Shistos Avenue at all, so the animal can be found on the roadway. But what is the reason for such a large increase in the wild boar population? According to Mr. Gurdomikhalis, there are four reasons for this: firstly, they are highly adaptable and omnivorous, finding food even in garbage dumps, in discarded food, etc. Secondly, they have no natural predator or “rival” except the wolf for their cubs. Thirdly, a particular species that grows in Greece is a hybrid of a wild animal with a farm pig, which results in more litters per year and more young. Fourth, the mild winters of recent years have contributed to the breeding of wild boars, since it is not difficult for them to find food during the winter months.

In any case, proper waste management is considered important, not littering the countryside and leaving food in places that can attract wild boars.

Collaboration of agencies to solve problems and instructions for residents to limit this phenomenon.

PESYDAP talks about the new conditions and challenges that have emerged in recent years in Attica and its peculiar ecosystems, which encourages it to adapt its activities and forge partnerships with other specialized agencies to better protect wildlife. “Incidents such as the discovery of injured birds of prey in the municipalities adjacent to Mount Egaleo, the ever-increasing presence of wild boars in Western Attica, the injuries of deer in the areas of responsibility of the municipalities of Phylis, Megaria, the re-emergence of wolves in the urban fabric, etc. create a need for more complex processing,” the Association said in a statement.

In this regard, a memorandum of cooperation was signed with Animal Care Center “ANIMA”with which the Ecological Association undertakes the free provision of medical supplies, the provision of “ANIMA” with food for wild animals in the amount of 10,000 euros for 2023, as well as the free provision of an incinerator of the Intermunicipal Center for the Care of Homeless Animals for the treatment of dead wild animals.

Animal care

For its part, ANIMA undertakes to treat all injured wild animals from areas of PESYDAP member municipalities, cooperate with municipal services to release wild animals within the city, and accept all confiscated wild birds from illegal enclosures. air markets.

Officials from the Ecological Association of the Municipalities of Athens-Piraeus also carry out surprise raids on the large bazaar in Schistos, where the illegal trade in wild birds often takes place. During his raids, he catches birds. These are mainly buzzards (hawk-like birds of prey), goldfinches and other songbirds.

“Our new collaboration and intensification of our actions demonstrates the desire of local authorities to make an even more determined and organized contribution to the protection of biodiversity and to our harmonious coexistence with wildlife,” said PESYDAP President, Mr. Gurdomichalis.