WILDLIFE, FLORA AND FAUNA & ITS PROTECTION ON KEFALONIA

The Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta Caretta), the Mediteranean Monk Seal (Monachus Monachus) and the wild horses of Mount Ainos are the most famous of the endangered species on Kefalonia. Other rare species found on the island include an unusual type of woodpecker, eagles, hawks, foxes, wild hares, wild goats and various smaller animals. The Koutavos lagoon in Argostoli is a popular stop for numerous types of rare migrating birds including swans and ducks as well as attracting the Caretta Caretta turtle when it mates.

Loggerhead Turtle

Katelios Environmental & Cultural Centre

World Chelonian Trust

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. Loggerhead Turtle >>

This is the head-quarters of the Katelios Group for Research and Protection of Marine
Terrestrial Life. Their museum and office can be found by the bus stop just outside Kato Katelios and is easily recognised by the large sign showing a dolphin, turtle and eagle.
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.
It is open 09.30-13.30 and 17.00-21.30
Tel ++30 26710 81009
Fax ++30 26710 81584
Email: info@kateliosgroup.org

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

Monk Seals

 ARCHIPELAGOS - Marine and Coastal Management

Dolphins

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 most endangered mammals in the world. Monk Seals

This is a private non-profit conservation group concerned with preserving the region's natural habitats. They work to protect the unspoilt environment of Kefalonia and Ithaca as part of a sustainable development plan where non-intrusive tourism, nature, local culture and the economy complement each other.
Archipelagos, G. Vergoti Ave, 61
28100 Argostoli, Kefalonia Tel/Fax ++30 26710 24565
Dimitra Antonatou Fiscardo 26740 41294
Vangelis Dimitratos & Susanne Dimitratou-Fisch, Lourdas 26710 31114
Jenny Vlassopoulou, Frikes, Ithaca

 

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...
 

Fiskardo's Nautical & Environmental Club FNEC

 Animal House

HORSES of Mount Ainos

FNEC is a non-governmental and non-profit making organisation
FNEC covers a range of activities from its HQ in Fiscardo.
Fiscardo's environmental museum with a free entry is in a converted school building run by volunteers from the European Voluntary Service (EVS). Funded by EU and donations.
Activities of the club also include horseback fire patrols in areas otherwise inaccessible, assistance with the turtle protection project in Katelios, rescue of injured animals, scuba diving courses to increase awareness and for marine research. Volunteers clean local beaches and look after wildlife ensuring protection of the environment. They have a rescue team for first aid and provide 24 hour emergency aid for humans and animals in need. The have a boat for rescue missions at sea and assist the port police authorities in Fiscardo. They transformed a Nissan 4x4 truck for fire rescue and have an ambulance which they bought from the Austrian Health Service.

For more information, visit the museum where you can pick up a leaflet and talk to the volunteers.
Tel ++30 26740 41081 Fax +30 2670 41182
Website www.fnec.gr email: fnec@otenet.gr
Museum Open 1000-19.00 Monday to Friday

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. Abandoned in the wild, they have existed as one or two herds for a century and are to be found beween 1300 to 1500 metes above sea level around the monastery of Zoodochos Pighi above the village of Arginia, 8.5 kms away where the only spring on Mount Ainos is to be found. The terrain is wild and rocky and scarred with dep ravines and gullies. In the higher parts is the forest with its unique pine trees. They are descendants of the horses of Pindos mountains in north eastern Greece . The many decades of life in isolation, the hard living conditions and their resistance and adjustment to hardship brought their differentation to the point of being a separate pure breed. Their medium height classifies them between the breeds of Pindos and Skyros. The horses of Ainos are direct descendants of the Greek horses of Alexander the Great and they are one of the few species in Greece and in the world existing today in a free state. Similar sightings of wild horses in Europe have only occurred in the Rodan area in France and in parts of Poland. The horses are extremely shy and will disappear into the trees at the slightest evidence of man by sight or smell.

MOUNT AINOS FIR TREES

 BOTANICAL GARDENS

MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

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.

The ecological chain of Ainos is very fragile and it requires respect for nature. Park regulations forbid harming or killing animal, cutting trees, branches, plants, mushrooms or wild flowers. Please do not discard rubbish or pollute the environment. Camping or making fires and hunting in the forest are all strictly prohibited.

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.

The Museum of Natural History is situated in the village of Davgata which is 5.5 kms from Argostoli. Drive over the Drapano bridge and follow the signs to Dilinata and Davgata. The museum presents information on the geological phenomena of Kefalonia, flora and fauna, National Park of Mount Ainos and information on marine wildlife. The museum is open from 15th June to 14th September Monday to Firday 09.00 -13.30 and at the weekends from 09.00 to 13.00. From 15th September thtough to 14th June the opening times change to Sunday to Friday 09.00 - 13.30, closed on Saturdays. Entrance fee is 1.5 euro with children and students 50% off. If you like walking, there are a few things to see in Davgata. The church of Saint George with some 18th century Cephalonian art. You can climb up to the Old Mill wih the cannon which is fired on the feast day of Saint George. Follow the eastern track to the village of Dilinata or the Monastery of the Virgin of Lamia.

OWLS AND HEDGEHOGS

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