Shocking are the images published on social media – and not only – from the big fire in Rhodes. While the firefighting operation is underway, citizens have left their homes and tourists from their accommodations, a photo has been making the rounds on the internet for the past few hours showing a deer arriving in a backyard looking for water and food.

The photo of Maros Hatzimanetta was “uploaded” to Facebook by Ioanna Striggari, who writes in her post: “SOS children, those of you who live in Rodos Afandou and the surrounding areas, the deer have appeared looking for food and water. Put carrots, apples and plenty of water outside your houses for everyone to find. They are hungry and scared. The photo is from Afandou, this morning, let’s help those who are left».

The deer, symbol of Rhodes

Platoni is his name and he is the world-famous deer, symbol of the cosmopolitan island of Rhodes. At the entrance of the old port in Mandraki, on two columns stand proudly, gazing at the sea, a male and a female historical symbols of the cultural heritage of the island.

The inhabitants of Rhodes love and care for the survival of the deer, but poaching, the fires that have destroyed a large part of the island’s forests, as well as the contamination of the water sources by pesticides used in agricultural production, are the most important reasons for the reduction of their population.