Announcement of the inclusion of the 2nd "Effective Dialogue: Reality Check" Conference in the Natural Environment & Climate Neutrality 2024 - Green Fund's Outward-Looking Actions 2024 Programme
The 2nd Effective Dialogue: Reality Check Conference project was included in the Green Fund’s Funding Programme “Natural Environment and Climate Neutrality 2024” in the A.P. 1 “Protection of the Natural Environment – Climate Neutrality & Other Actions – Outward-Looking Actions 2024”, after the decision of the Board of Directors of the Green Fund of the Ministry of Environment & Energy of 15 May 2024. Beneficiary: ANIMA – Hellenic Wildlife Care Association. Project budget to be financed by the Green Fund: 15.000 €. The 2nd Effective Dialogue: Reality Check Conference on safeguarding effective communication against increasing misinformation, polarisation and climate collapse was co-organised by ANIMA, Team Sympraxis and the Hellenic Consultation Institute.
Care and rehabilitation of wild animals - contribution to the implementation of EU policies on urban biodiversity
Implementing Institution
Partner
The project “Care and rehabilitation of wild animals – contribution to the implementation of EU policies on urban biodiversity” is implemented by ANIMA in cooperation with PE.SY.D.A.P. (Environmental Association of the Municipalities of Athens & Piraeus). It is financed by the Green Fund, through the Funding Programme “NATURAL ENVIRONMENT & INNOVATIVE ACTIONS 2022”, under the Priority Axis “Innovative actions with citizens”. It has a duration of 13 months (1/11/2023-30/11/2024) and a budget of 50,000 euros.
Injuries and deaths of wild animals caused by anthropogenic factors, as well as their capture in the context of illegal trade, have serious consequences for biodiversity, particularly for species with small populations, such as the cases of Cinereous Vulture and Egyptian Vulture individuals. Rescuing these individuals and reintegrating them into their natural habitat can contribute to maintaining their populations at a regional or even a national level. Moreover, the importance of the urban environment for the conservation of biodiversity is increasingly recognised. It is noteworthy that the current EU Biodiversity Strategy sets, among other things, the objective of letting nature return to cities and calls on European cities with a population of at least 20,000 to develop plans to become more eco-oriented. In Greece, there is a huge lack of awareness on this issue, particularly among the responsible municipal authorities, where urban biodiversity is considered the same as so-called ‘urban fauna’, i.e. stray animals (cats and dogs).
The project aims to protect, conserve and restore biodiversity through the care and rehabilitation of sick, injured, orphaned and trafficked wildlife, to highlight the importance of urban biodiversity and to start a conversation within municipalities about the ecological transformation of cities, in line with the EU guidelines for the implementation of the Biodiversity Strategy.
The project’s general objectives are the care and treatment of a total of 3,000 wild animals and raising awareness in municipalities of Attica on urban biodiversity issues. The project is implemented in cooperation with ANIMA and PE.SY.D.A.P. (Environmental Association of Municipalities of Athens & Piraeus).
The project’s specific objectives are : a) The treatment of 2,000 adult/young injured or sick wild animals. Of these, 1.000 will come from Attica and the rest from all over the country. Approximately 50 are expected to be large birds of prey, which after recovery will need to be accommodated and trained in special rehabilitation cages to enable them to survive in the wild after their release. b) The care of 500 chicks and newborn animals, mainly because they fell from nests or were orphaned, all coming from the municipalities of Athens & Piraeus, where PE.SY.D.A.P. operates. c) The care of 500 wild birds that are victims of illegal trafficking and trade in illegal markets or shops in the municipalities of Athens & Piraeus d) The organisation of an one-day event on urban biodiversity.
- Care and rehabilitation of 2,000 adult or young injured or sick wild animals
- Care and treatment of 500 wild animals that are victims of illegal trafficking and trade
- Rearing and reintegration of 500 orphaned chicks and newborn animals
- Increased awareness and knowledge: The event will help participants understand the importance of urban biodiversity, the threats it faces and the benefits it provides. It will also inform them about specific measures (e.g. regulations, guidelines and practices) that can be implemented by municipal authorities to conserve and boost it. It is estimated that the event will be attended by approximately 30 participants, representatives and officers of municipalities of Attica.
- Networking and cooperation: The event will bring together representatives and officials from different municipalities, allowing them to share experiences and ideas and possibly collaborate on biodiversity-related projects.
- Overall, the event can contribute to skill-building of municipal officials, promote cooperation and mobilise action for urban biodiversity, contributing to the long-term sustainability of cities.
From 1 November 2023 to 30 April 2024, in the framework of the project:
- 474 adult or young wild animals found injured or sick were cared for and treated. Of these, 353 came from Attica. 10 were large birds of prey, which were transferred to ANIMA’s special rehabilitation cages in Kalivia and Diomedes Botanical Garden.
- 233 chicks and newborn animals from the municipalities of Athens & Piraeus, where PE.SY.D.A.P. operates, that fell from nests or were orphaned were admitted and raised.
- 286 wild birds, victims of illegal trafficking and trade in illegal markets or shops in the municipalities of Athens & Piraeus, were admitted and cared for until their plumage and general wellbeing was restored and they recovered from any illnesses/injuries etc.