Wildlife - Flora and Fauna

The fast disappearing Mediterranean Monk Seal is faced with extinction. The Mediterranean monk seal is the rarest of seal species and one of the six criticallly endangered mammals in the world. Monk Seals

The Loggerhead turtle is the only turtle known to nest in Greeece. It can be distinguished from other turtles by its large head and reddish-brown shell. It can reach a length of one metre and weigh over 100 kilos. In Greece, Loggerheads lay during the night up to four nests per season with over 100 eggs in each.

The Marine Turtle Project was set up to observe and record the nesting female turtles on the beaches of Kaminia and Mounda and consists mainly of local people and volunteer students from all over the world. The office and museum is situated within this building and visitors are welcome.

FNEC is a non-governmental and non-profit making organisation which covers a range of activities from its HQ in Fiscardo.

EVS volunteers run a project to look after sick and abandoned animals. For latest news visit their website www.fnec.gr

The wild horses owe their existence to an age old custom of the villagers of letting herds graze free on the mountain so they did not have to feed them.

Greek Fir (Abies cephalonica) is the locally common conifer and is so called because it was first identified on Cephalonia. It is the dominant forest species on Mount Ainos where its purity has been maintained without hybridisation. The Greek Fir is a large evergreen, thriving at altitudes of 800-1600 m and growing to a height of 30 m with a pyramidal crown and dark brown bark tinged with orange. It forms a dense forest in the mountains of Greece and was an important timber tree in antiquity especially for its use in shipbuilding. Nowadays Odysseus would not be allowed to cut down all those trees to make his ships for Troy as Mount Ainos is a National Park with a preservation order although some trees are still extracted for timber.

Cephalonia Botanica is the name of the botanical gardens situated in two acres of parkland just outside Argostoli. From the main square in Argostoli, follow Vergoti Avenue for one km to the edge of town, until the road forks directly in front of you. The left-hand fork continues to Saint George's Castle and Poros, while the right hand fork marked with the sign 'Cephalonia Botanica' takes you to the gardens. Follow the road for about 300 m. passing the Avin petrol station on your right and after about 30 m take a sharp right turn (sign-posted) and after another 300 m you will see the final sign. There is limited parking inside the gardens so you may need to park in the gravel lay-by area immediately before the garden entrance. Open from 10.00 until 14.00 with last admission at 13.30 and from 18.00 to 20.00 with last admission at 19.30 daily except Sunday, Monday and holidays. Entrance is free to holders of Focas-Cosmetatos Museum tickets.

In the village of Spartia you will find a delightful museum dedicated to owls and hedgehogs. Here you will be informed about the way of life of both animals and learn how to protect them in the natural world. There are examples of art from ancient to modern times depicting owls and hedgehogs as well as sculptures of these animals in ceramic, wood and bronze. There are likenesses of owls and hedgehogs on crockery, tiles and jewellery and children can learn how to make a hedgehog out of paper.

House of the Owls and Hedgehogs is open from April to October 18.00 to 21.00, closed on Mondays. Other visiting times by arrangement.
Tel ++30 6938 813766

KATS is the Kefalonia Animal Trust based on Kefalonia.

Situated in the village of Davgata

Where better to find a Cephalopod than in the clear Kefalonian waters? A wonderful day's cruise where you can learn about the marine wildlife of Greece sailing on a traditional Greek fishing boat.

Kefalonia Animal Protection Association is based in Katelios region in south of Kefalonia. It's a local charity caring for animals in the Elios Pronos area covering Poros, Skala, Mounda, Katelios region.

The Ionian Sea Research Centre run by FNEC assist with research of marine creatures such as dolphins and with an onboard hydrophone can record the dolphin's clicks and language as well as dolphin whispers...

Medasset - The Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles - is an international non-government organisation founded in 1988, working for the conservation of sea turtles and their habitats throughout the Mediterranean.

ARCHELON is the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece whose primary objective his to protect the sea turtles and their habitats in Greece.

The Travel Foundation is a UK registered charity involved in sustainable tourism.

This is a UK charity which invites you to adopt a turtle.

There is such an array of wonderful colours of the unusual flowers found on some parts of Kefalonia, especially during the early spring and summer month when the island has an abundance of wild flowers.

This is a private non-profit conservation group concerned with preserving the region's natural habitats.

The Greek word for turtle is 'Helona' and for extensive information about the Caretta Caretta variety of loggerhead turtles, as well as other turtles of the world, see the website of the World Chelonian Trust which is concerned with the conservation and care of these endangered animals. www.chelonia.org

The European Pine Marten lives in Kefalonia managing to stay mostly hidden in the tops of pine trees. They are a protected species so hunting them is illegal.