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WILDLIFE, FLORA AND FAUNA & ITS PROTECTION ON KEFALONIA |
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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. |
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Loggerhead Turtle |
Katelios Environmental & Cultural Centre |
World Chelonian Trust |
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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 >>
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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
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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
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Monk Seals |
ARCHIPELAGOS
- Marine and Coastal Management |
Dolphins |
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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
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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
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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...
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Fiskardo's Nautical & Environmental Club FNEC
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Animal
House |
HORSES of Mount Ainos |
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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
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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. |
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MOUNT AINOS FIR TREES |
BOTANICAL
GARDENS |
MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY |
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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.
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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.
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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.
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OWLS
AND HEDGEHOGS |
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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 |
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