Tragic mistakes in the whale rescue operation are identified by the organization “Archipelagos”

The environmental organization “Archipelagos”, which is actively involved in the rescue of cetaceans in the Greek seas, in an announcement makes important remarks on the occasion of case of the bell.

The experienced scientists of the “Archipelago” point out the “opportunistic” awareness of the issue of cetaceans, the lack of relevant infrastructure and the lack of education on these issues.

“Returning the sick animal to the open, in this situation, which is barely floating, has, as reported, multiple fractures in the muzzle and visible injuries, is unacceptable and contradicts scientific protocols and logic,” he said.

The announcement from the “Archipelagos”

“Every month on the Greek coast are found dozens of injured or dead marine mammals and turtles. The news of these incidents, however, does not go beyond the limited boundaries of the local communities of the areas where they occur. As it turned out in the last few days, an eruption was necessary to take place on the shores of the Saronic Gulf, in order to sensitize the authorities and the media. The huge mobilization, however, simply revealed (inside and outside Greece) the non-existence of the state mechanism, the lack of knowledge but also the lack of any infrastructure for the care of marine animals.

The depressed animal was used simply as a backdrop in a communication game of superficial impressions, which ultimately further emphasizes the general lack of education, sensitivity and seriousness required in our every contact with wildlife.

Zifios is a particularly cetacean and, although important populations of the species still survive in the Greek seas, relatively unknown, since it never approaches humans. However, just as all marine mammals approach coastal and shallow waters when faced with a serious health issue, so Zifios attempted to reach the shallow waters of the Saronic Gulf. His injuries were most likely caused on the rocky shores.

The management of such incidents requires the observance of specific, strict protocols, which are applied worldwide. The divers and rescuers who attempted at the spot made commendable efforts to rescue Zifi but unfortunately, without the necessary knowledge and the appropriate equipment. Even the Coast Guard of a country with 18,000 km of coastline and more than 3,000 islands and islets, despite the immediate response, has never received the necessary training, nor does it have a specific protocol for dealing with such incidents.

Handling an animal, such as Ziphios, which is in such a difficult situation, requires, first of all, the reduction, to a minimum, of man-made nuisances and, above all, noise, as the stress caused can even be fatal. The divers and rescuers who, despite the difficult conditions and the cold, remained for hours on the spot describe an image that does not honor our country. Veterinary surgeries were performed by people who did not have the knowledge to handle such an animal. They attempted to draw blood dozens of times, achieving multiple unsuccessful piercings while, in an animal heavier than 2 tons, a quantity of serum suitable for a pet was administered.

Most important of all, however, is the repatriation of the sick animal in the open, in this state, which is barely floating, has, as mentioned, multiple fractures in the muzzle and visible injuries, is unacceptable and contradicts scientific protocols and logic. Unfortunately, his chances of survival are slim, if not non-existent, as the animal needed care, and otherwise could have been saved.

Unfortunately, the comedic-tragic events were not missing either. In the midst of a general uproar, various self-proclaimed “experts” demanded that divers come out of the “frame” to have the exclusive image on camera.

A group of self-proclaimed “rescuers” demanded, under the pretext of providing assistance, to extract the gizzard from the divers. Eventually they removed him to film a member of her singing to the animal. In fact, after the end of the song, they hurried away and, within a few hours, the video in question was rebroadcast on social networks and channels.

Such intense anthropogenic nuisance could be fatal even for a healthy wild animal, let alone for the depressed and injured Ziphos.

The echo of this incident remains the general ignorance regarding the rare species of the Greek seas, which are known since antiquity and were recorded, for the first time by Aristotle. Some of the most important cetacean populations left in the Mediterranean survive in our seas, but the essential deficiencies in education deprive most of our fellow citizens of this knowledge.

The Aegean Marine Life Shelter in Lipsi

In the face of this reality, the world’s first marine mammal care center is almost ready to open. The Aegean Marine Life Shelter is located on the island of Lipsi and is supported by a global network of scientists with expertise and many years of experience in the care of marine species. The energy autonomous and fully equipped building of the Shelter will operate in accordance with the most modern and specialized protocols. Within the onshore facilities there is a modern veterinary clinic as well as treatment areas with heated pools, while a marine treatment and re-preparation area is also planned to operate. The immediate transport of animals in need of care can be carried out in the shortest possible time by 2 boats in constant readiness.

However, this center has the “misfortune” not to be in a communicatively favorable position in the Saronic Gulf. However, it is located in the right geographical point, in the center of the Aegean, from where it will be able to effectively fulfill its purpose. We must emphasize that not a single euro has been spent from public funds for its creation, while its viability is guaranteed.

The operation of the treatment center will allow Greece to assume in a short period of time a leading role in the care and well-being of the protected marine species, but also of those who will have to be released from captivity. At the same time, there are numerous international universities that are waiting for the opening of its operation, so that it can be a center of applied training in the care of marine mammals for the new generation of scientists.

The official statements made by the political leadership in support of the project remain intentional, without knowing the reasons. In addition, a network of people, acting systematically and underground, make every effort to delay the completion of the project licensing. Unfortunately, the same people are advisors of RIS, but also collaborators of Attiko Park, where dolphins are illegally kept for performances, while they played a leading role in the recent incident with the injured Zifios and others in the past, with the same unacceptable results.

They themselves have been paid by the RIS to compile the studies of the management plans of the marine mammals in Greece, proposing themselves as the only specialists and beneficiaries of millions of programs, ignoring the Greek universities, research centers and bodies that should cooperate together in such a difficult task: the effective protection of one of the most important marine mammal populations in the Mediterranean and Europe.

Our goal is the effective protection of the seas and marine life, the end of the systematic abuse of animals, wherever it occurs, and the elimination of the clear image projected inside and outside Greece, which characterizes part of our fellow citizens, but in no does not characterize us as citizens of this country as a whole. “

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