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Suffering from injuries gained from the terrain which is very rocky plus bad water supplies, and harsh winters, these ponies have struggled to survive. With the increased harvesting of trees from the island, shelter and food plants have increasingly diminished. Some are deliberately killed by farmers as they  believe, unfortunately not without reason, that their foraging reduces what is available for the sheep and goats.

A group of Kephalonians and expatriate residents have began a charitable foundation, The Environmental League for the Animals in the Ionian these. members  are working together in hopes of establishing viewing centre for tourists to see these wild horses,thus providing a reason for people to visit the interior of the island and improving the economy of the area. In the meantime,it is essential to stabilize the herd . ELATI plans to set up  feeding stations to reduce the burden on local farmers and to provide an improved diet for the horses. They also are removing rocks and stones along paths frequented by the horses to reduce leg injuries.

With assistance and good management, the wild horses of Kephalonia can contribute to the island's economy as well as improving  their own lives and chances for long term survival. From the untamed mountains of Epirus to the dramatic gorges of Crete, Greece has a wide spectrum of natural beauty and unusual animal life to the visitors who takes the time to explore this special richness of Greece.

As people have become more environmentally conscious, preserving and protecting the wild has become a popular item on the governments  agenda. Every time special interest is taken in the local flora and fauna, the more valued the natural environment becomes to the native inhabitants.

The presiding champion of wildlife preservation efforts is the National Marine Park of Alonissos, part of the Sporades islands group. Lucky visitors on environmentally-sensitive yacht tours may see the extremely rare monk seals who frolic in the waves.

The Hellenic Ornithological Society is playing a very active role in encouraging the protection of breeding areas. They offer several publications and  Greeces complete bird list.

All over the country, volunteer organizations are attempting to treat and rehabilitate injured wildlife. Many of them, including the Lesbian Wildlife Hospital, welcome visitors, volunteer veterinarians, and donations. A visit to one of these facilities can be a wonderful experiencey for families and may be the only chance to see rare species up close without disturbing the natural habitats.

Public outcry has apparently saved, for the time being, the unique island of Gavdopoula off the southern coast of Crete, at one time slated to be brutally terra formed into an offshore shipping station.

Many visitors to Greece admire the hard-working donkeys who transport passengers up the cliffs of Santorini. While these animals certainly work hard for their living, they are among the best-cared for animals in Greece. The beads which decoraten their harnesses are there for protection  the loss of one of these cherished though often stubborn animals is a great sadness for its owner.the Legend is that The donkeys on Santorini carry a certain superstitious dread as well as souls of vampires are said to reincarnate as the beasts of burden.

Preservation of the endangered sea turtle Caretta caretta has caught the public imagination, and the Sea Turtle Protection Society is an active group of  people who mark sea turtle nests, tirelessly educate the public at temporary booths set up at beach towns during breeding season, and by their presence encourage the keeping of local laws protecting wildlife. One recent change: on the best-used breeding beaches, those who rent sun beds is that they now have to stack them up at night so the turtles will not encounter any barriers. And in the daytime, if you see wires protruding from the sand, it's not a framework for someone's especially  sandcastle. under it lies  fragile sea turtle eggs, so stay well away as the next generations  depends on it.

High in the mountains where, the ancient oracle of Dodona spoke to querents through the wind rustling through the trees. today's visitors may not be able to understand the nuances of that sound, but Dodona's welcome is clear in the carpet of wildflowers greeting Autumn visitors, the lush green grass, kept moist by mountain rains, bright crocuses emerge. Alongside them, starry yellow flowers burst against a seemingly green sky of grass. Nearby Ioaninna  is also a good stopping off point for visits to the remote Zagorian villages, where rare flowers thrive. In the Vikos Gorge area, herb doctors called komboyannites or "Vikos Doctors" gathered medicinal herbs and plants.

The abundance of Greek wildflowers helps empower the famous honeys of Greece, so be careful before you plunge your nose into one of them - most wildflowers boast a busy staff of bees.

In many parts of Greece, a carpet of wildflowers could  mean autumn as well as spring. Elsewhere, fall anemones catch the eye unexpectedly, seeming too frail and lovely to be growing wild. Hawthorn berries will be ripe, with a rose red colour against the slightly grey-green foliage. In rocky areas at relatively low altitudes, keep an eye for the golden crocus-like flowers of the sterngerbia sicula, in bloom from September to November. It makes a particularly dramatic appearance as it flowers before it sends up leaves. The perouka, or cymbalaria uralis, grows almost everywhere with slightly thick, lobed leaves resembling a flattened geranium leaf. It enjoys clinging to rocks and growing on ancient temple sites, sharing pale pink flowers from May through October. When looking for wildflowers, look down. Many of the fall varieties are short and stocky. The kampanakia has big white flowers on fleshy small leaves which trail along the ground. It likes sandy shores and can be found on the islands of Kythira and Rhodes, among others. Pink-flowering koumaria also bears fruits, which ripen from a vivid orange to a pleasing deep red. It's in flower from September through November, with bright fruits remaining on the plant into December and beyond. Crocuses and anemones unite the seasons in Greece, with some varieties in blossom in all but the coldest places. The tiny, delicate white and pale violet Crocus laevigatus grows in the mountains and brightens the day from November through January. In partial shade, keep your eyes open for the Cyclamen Graecum -literally, Greek Cyclamen - , whose flowers look like butterflies with their wings closed, perched on top of bare stems.

If you visit maquis of the northern Peloponnesus, look beneath the high shrubs and occasional trees for the rare, beautiful deep purple crocus goulimyi. It can be seen from October till November. The long stemmed narcissus serotinus flowers from September to October. Wherever you stay in Greece in Autumn, take a walk away from the towns and enjoy the fall jewels you will find growing everywhere. Many of the flowers like partial shade, an escape from the intense,  Greek sun, so look in the shade regions of trees, shrubs, and rocks.

1. The birds of Skopelos Island in Greece 

In the dense forests and the fertile meadows, 66 species of wild native or migratory birds have been registered, some of those rare and threatened by extinction.

Alpine Swift Apus melba, Bee-eater Merops apiaster. Blackbird Turdus merula. Blackcap Sylvia attricapilla.Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocefala. Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius. Bonelli’s Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli. Buzzard Buteo buteo. Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs. Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collibita. Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citrinella. Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra. Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea. Cretzschmar’s Bunting Emberiza caesia. Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae. Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus. Garden Warbler Sylvia borin. Goldcrest Regulus regulus. Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus. Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis. Goshawk Accipiter gentilis. Great Tit Parus major. Green finch Carduelis chloris. Herring Gull Larus argentatus. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea. Harrier Circus sp. Hobby Falco subbuteo. Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus. Hooded Crow Corvus corone cornix. Hoopoe Upupa epops. House Martin Delichon urbica. House Sparrow Passer domesticus. Kestrel Falco tinnunculus. Linnet Acanthis cannabina. Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus. Little Owl Athene noctua. Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos. Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus. Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida. Olive-tree Warbler Hippolais olibetorum. Partridge or Chukar Alectoris chukar. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus. Pheasant Phasianus colchicus. Raven Corvus corax. Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio. Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica. Rock Dove Columba livia. Rufus Bush Robin Cecrotrichus galactotes. Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocaphala. Scops Owl Otus scops. Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis. . Short-toed Lark Calandrella cinerea. Spanish Sparrow Passer hispanidensis. Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus. Sparrow Hawk Accipiter nisus. Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata. Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans. Swallow Hirundo rustica. Swift Apus apus. Tawny Pipit Anthus campestis. Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur. Whitethroat Sylvia communis. Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator. Wren Troglodytes troglodydes. Yellow Hammer Emberiza citrinella. Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava.

Ihe famous Greek myths  flowers  inspired  Greek Mythology is rich and exciting. also  rich and exciting is Greek Flora. Learn how some of the famous Greek myths flower inspired. learn how feelings and passions were united together with flowers to make wonderful stories still famous nowadays .Near the beautiful village of Vrahasi there is the imposing gorge of Selinari, formed by the mountain of Anavlohos (625 m) to the north and the mountain Fonias o Detis (818 m) to the south.

The symbol of Crete, the Cretan wild goat (kri-kri) and the Griffon Vulture are two rare species that used to reside in the gorge. The Municipality of Vrahasi intends to establish a centre of protection of the local fauna and flora at the gorge of Selinari and to develop a wildlife station, to provide observation of the Griffon Vulture colony at the east side of the gorge of Selinari. The hunting is forbidden in an area covering 10 sq.km. around the gorge. Kri-Kri is a rare kind of wild goat, that survives since the Minoan ages and still lives free only in the mountains of Crete. Homer said that this proud and untamed animal lives t places where no man can go.

The Griffon Vulture colony of Selinari roosts and breads on southeast facing cliffs immediately above the small bridge on the "old road". The colony is around 35 birds. The breeding cycle begins in January with the first chicks flying from the nests in late June. The chicks continue to be fed by the adults at the nest for at least a further six weeks after the first flight. This means that there is considerable all day activities on the nests during the months of March through to and including August.

In the months remaining activity is  high as the birds return to roost in the afternoon which is very exciting to watch.

Important Bird Areas  are sites particularly important for bird conservation because they regularly hold significant population of one or more globally or regionally threatened, endemic or congregatory bird species or highly representative bird assemblages.

Important Bird Areas are more than a bunch of sites, they form a network of sites making sure that migratory species find suitable breeding, stop-over and wintering places along their respective flyways.

Important Bird Areas were selected on the basis of internationally agreed standard criteria. In Greece there have been identified 196 IBAs. HOS is actively involved in the international programme of Birdlife International, which aims are to identify, monitor and protect key sites for birds all over the continent through joint efforts of staff and volunteers fromt local, national and international level. Greece is  in southern Europe. It  borders with Albania, Bulgaria, Turkey and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Greece is very mountainous and is crossed by four short, fast flowing main rivers. where the land is rich and fertile, farmers grow wheat, cotton and vegetables. where the is rocky and barren the farmers graze sheep and goats.

 Mount Olympus is the highest mountain which is 2917 metres high. pine forests. cover its slopes The ancient Greeks believed that Mount Olympus was the home of Zeus, the king of their gods.

In the woods and forests on the rugged mountains there are wild animals such as deer, wolves, badgers, lizards and snakes. golden eagles are found in parts of Greece. Birds of prey such as eagles, hawks and vultures are found there too. Tall poplars and pines, Cyprus trees, chestnuts and fir trees grow throughout Greece. Olive trees are abundant everywhere and used for their fruit which is eaten or made into oil.

Hundreds of islands in the Aegean Sea and in the Ionian Sea are also part of Greece. Most are mountainous and rocky but are very popular with tourists enjoy the warm summer climate and the many fine beaches.

Butterflies of Southern Greece 

For all the people who cherish  the natural world there is nothing more appealing than a meadow covered with wild flowers with brightly coloured butterflies. hovering above This is what we envisage when we dream of the drowsy days of summer,t, for those of us living in the intensively farmed regions of Great Britain, it is one that is consigned to the wistful memories of the elderly. Fortunately, there are still areas in Europe where a century of change has scarcely diminished the profusion of flowers, and where one can still be uplifted by the myriad of butterflies sipping nectar in the summer sunshine. Southern Greece is particularly favoured in this respect.

The two  most famous butterfly mountains of Greece  Mount Chelmos and Mount Parnassos.are situated on opposite sides of the Gulf of Corinth, these two mountains give us a wide range of habitats from hot Mediterranean scrub, pine forests and olive groves, to mountain streams, alpine pastures and meadows, rocky scree and even some  snow! you can see many species of butterflies, dragonflies and other insect-life, but also to be seen are birds, lizards, and any other wildlife .

 Kalavrita, situated on the north-west slopes of Mount Chelmos, part of the Aroanian Mountains on the Peloponnese.  Delphi, home of the famous Temple of Apollo and very convenient for access to the Parnassos National Park situated just to the north. The abundance of the butterflies in this region is legendary amongst entomologists, the scarce or restricted species which impress the visitor as much as the sheer diversity and abundance of individual butterflies in some areas. The identification of over 50 species of butterfly in a day is quite feasible, and the sight of hundreds of Balkan Marbled Whites, Black-veined Whites and Clouded Yellows, all crowding together on patches of thistles, this scene is astonishing to see.

 Mount Chelmos tree covered slopes we can find Grecian Copper, Escher’s Blue, Meleager’s Blue, at least three species of ‘Anomalous Blue’ (including the endemic Chestnut Anomalous Blue and Grecian Anomalous Blue), Great Banded Grayling, Queen of Spain Fritillary, Cleopatra and another south-east European speciality — the White-banded Grayling. At the summit plateau  sometimes to be seen are the local race of Greek Clouded Yellow, Mountain Small White, Clouded Apollo and the famous but elusive Chelmos Blue! Sunny woodland glades in the surrounding valleys are graced with numerous Silver-washed Fritillaries, Large Tortoiseshell, Southern White Admiral and the occasional Camberwell Beauty. going down  the river valleys to the south of the massif are various dragonflies such as Calopteryx virgo, Lestes barbarus and the bizarre Onychogomphus forcipatus along the edge off the streams, t Cetti’s Warblers can be heard in the riverine bushes and Great Reed Warblers grate noisily from marshy vegetation. This is  a good area to look for the endemic Peloponnese Wall Lizard basking in the morning sun and Kotschy’s Gecko, an Asian reptile with a range that just stretches into southern Greece.  Mount Parnassos, has also an abundance of butterfly species and has its own range of attractions, including Blue Argus, Balkan Copper, Krueper’s Small White, Zephyr Blue, Freyer’s Grayling and Oriental Meadow Brown. Ascending to the alpine meadows, haunt of Alpine Chough and Rock Thrush,  butterfly species of the higher altitudes such as Clouded Apollo, Purple-shot Copper, Greek Clouded Yellow and perhaps the unobtrusive Black Ringlet. in the area of Delphi there is an impressive population of butterflies in the surrounding hillsides and a diverse selection of bird species including Rock Nuthatch, Black-eared Wheatear and Rüppell’s Warbler.

Dolphins can sometimes be spotted swimming in the waters of the island of Zante. They are beautiful sea mammals who enjoy interaction with humans often swimming alongside boats.  dolphins are majestic creatures tand very  impressive it is to see their power and grace as they go in and out of the water.it is said that dolphins symbolise joy, freedom and harmony of nature.

The Caretta Caretta turtle or Loggerhead turtle is so called for its distinctive large head which distinguishes it from other turtles. The loggerhead turtle is the largest hard shelled turtle in the world measuring on average around 120 cm and weighing over 100 kg. Their outer-shell is reddish- brown in colour and their underneath is yellow. Caretta Caretta turtles are found in the waters of the Ionian Sea - nesting in particular on the beaches of Zakynthos. The loggerhead turtles lay their eggs at the same beach where they themselves were born, which is why the protection of the beaches that they nest at is of environmental significance to ensure that the nests successfully hatch, as the numbers of Caretta Caretta turtles are in decline and they have been placed on the Endangered species list. Caretta Caretta turtles are one of the oldest species in the world; sea turtles are known to date from at least 130 million years ago and some fossils may even date from 200 million years ago. Early sea turtles were alive at the same time as the dinosaurs, although the present 8 species of sea turtles alive today have changed significantly since the time of the dinosaurs and date from only up to 60 million years ago.

Sea turtles are adapted for their life in the ocean, with streamlined shells and strong flippers designed so they can swim easily. The turtles diet consists of shellfish, clams, muscles and jellyfish. They  have no teeth but have powerful jaws that  crush their food. It is believed that the turtles  live to be about 60 years old, and they reach reproductive maturity at 30 years old where the females return to the beach where they were born to lay their eggs (only 1 in a 1,000 turtles manage to reach reproductive age). It is unknown what happens to the turtles from when they are born until they return to their home beach to nest their eggs and these years are known as "the lost years".  very little is known about male turtles  they never leave the sea and it is only the nesting female turtles that have been tagged to gather information about their migration routes. Loggerhead turtles make the longest migration journeys of any sea turtles.  The turtles can lay up to two hundred eggs and can repeat this process 15 days later - up to three or four times in one season (June- August).  The eggs need to be covered in the sand for about two months before they are ready to hatch. The turtles once hatched dig their way out of the sand, by the turtles lower down in the nest pushing the turtles above them out of the nest - they all then race to the sea. The turtles are normally hatched in the night and it is crucial that their path to the sea is unblocked by sandcastles or other obstacles on the beach- as the turtles are better suited to water rather than land.

The sea turtles survival depends on the specific beaches where the females lay their eggs. Most of the turtle beaches around the world have been destroyed or commercialised resulting in turtles not returning to these beaches. The beaches on Zakynthos, specifically in Lagana bay are tremendously important in the fight to save the turtles  as these beaches have the highest concentration of turtle nesting sites in the Mediterranean - with almost 1,500 nests on only 5 km of beaches. 900 turtles come to lay their eggs on the beaches in Zante.  the beaches on Zakynthos are so important for the turtles survival, in 1999 a National Marine Park (NMPZ) was established, this was the first marine park in Greece. The purpose of the NMPZ is to protect the flora and fauna on the island and ensure that habitats of wildlife are protected. They work tirelessly to educate tourists and the public about the wildlife in the area and in particular the Caretta Caretta turtles and they patrol beaches to ensure that the turtle nests remain protected and undamaged so the turtles have the best chance to hatch. With public co-operation it will be possible for turtles and humans to harmoniously share beaches. to help save the turtles always your rubbish home with you.. Be careful where you place beach umbrellas - check that you are not putting them on a turtle nest and put them down at night. knock down any sandcastles as you leave as they can be a  big obstacle to the baby turtles struggling to find the sea., avoid taking taking pets on beaches where you know there are turtles-as they can disturb the nests. However if it is unavoidable keep dogs on a leash. Do not drive or park on the beach- as this can crush nests and turtles.  Do not go on the beaches at night as you could disrupt nesting turtles who may give up their attempt at laying their eggs, instead heading back to the sea. If you are staying near a beach where turtles nest, make sure your curtains/ blinds are drawn at night so that the turtles do not get confused by the bright lights because they tend to follow the light of the moon to find their way back to sea.

Do not help hatchlings into the water, even if they appear to be in distress They have to stretch their muscles before they can swim - and the stress of being picked up or prodded by humans can prove too much for the baby turtles. Learn as much as you can about the turtles and visit the Wildlife Centre at Gerakas beach. Tell your friends about the beautiful Caretta Caretta turtles and their plight.

The Mediterranean monk seal is thought to be the world's rarest sea mammal - current estimates suggest that there are only 500 monk seals in the Mediterranean and 250 of them live in the waters around Greece, including Zante. The seals are brown or dark grey in colour with a lighter coloured belly. They can reach 2.5 m in length and weigh up to 320 kg. The females give birth to their young in secluded caves and most seals are born in autumn. The baby seals stay in the caves for the first two weeks of their life before they enter the water. They reach reproduction age about four years old and they can have babies every other year. The seals are thought to live to be over 20 years old. Their diet consists of fish, octopus and other seafood. They face extinction largely due to the action of humans, for the overdevelopment of beaches and coves, fishing which has reduced the amount of food available for the seals and also has caused them many accidents (even resulting in death) from becoming entangled in fishing nets. Steps need to be taken to ensure that the seals have protected breeding grounds and to educate the local fishermen and tourists to prevent the species from becoming extinct.In the past monk seals were considered a good omen to sailors and fishermen. The ancient Greeks had such respect for the seals that they declared them protected by the Gods Poseidon (sea) and Apollo (sun), due to the seals love of both the sun and the sea. Also one of the first Greek coins (dating from 500BC) was engraved with the head of a monk seal and they have been the subject of many famous writers including Aristotle and Homer. The seals have a prestigious history but let's hope that soon the species is not history too.

 Zakynthos is a paradise for flora and fauna. birds and butterflies In terms of wild animals - there are none on the island that are dangerous to people. In the mountains there are some small snakes either green or brown in colour but they are harmless and it is unlikely you will see them. The numbers of snakes are dwindling on Zante,  If you do venture to the mountains, animals you are likely to hear even if you can't see them are cicadas. They live on trees and have a very distinctive sound. Small lizards can sometimes be spotted as they like climbing walls or hiding in rocks for shade, they are useful to have around as they eat mosquitoes. Herrmann's tortoises, also known as Greek tortoises, dwell in the woods and forests on the island - however their numbers too are dwindling due to several forest fires, tourism and land development.

The National Marine Park of Zakynthos (N.M.P.Z.) is the recently established marine park situated at the southern most part of the island of Zakynthos. The Presidential Decree for the establishment of the N.M.P.Z. was signed on the 1st of December 1999 by the President of the Greek Republic.The Marine Park's objectives are to preserve the natural environment and conserve the ecological balance of the marine and coastal area of the Bay of Laganas and of the Strophadia Islands. Within the Marine Park is the most important loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta nesting rookery in the Mediterranean, a habitat essential for protection.

The National Marine Park of Zakynthos is the first of its kind in Greece comprising of a Management Body and it will be an example for other areas in Greece requiring integrated management.

Protected Area The Marine Park encompasses the marine area of the Bay of Laganas, the sea turtle nesting beaches and a zone of land adjoining them, the wetland of Keri Lake and the two small islands of Strophadia, which are 50 miles south from the island of Zakynthos.

 Greece is the only European country where the loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta nest, with Zakynthos being the most important nesting area in Mediterranean. this area is characterised by a variety of habitats, of European interest including sand dunes, Posidonia oceanica beds, the critically endangered Sea daffodil submerged reefs, as well as hundreds of species of flora and fauna, some of which are of great importance.

Please note that a resident population of the critically endangered species of monk seal Monachus monachus is present at the west coast of Zakynthos.

Protection Measures in place

 The marine area of the Park there are three zones:

Zone A - no boat activity is allowed

Zone B - boats are allowed with speed limit of 6 miles per hour; no anchoring is allowed

Zone C - boats are allowed with speed limit of 6 miles per hour; anchoring is allowed

On land several restrictions protect the nesting beaches no building, visitors are allowed on the nesting beaches from 7:00pm to 7:00am, control of the number of visitors etc.  restrictions on building and tourist development of the area are applied on the zones of land that adjoining the nesting beaches.