Lesvos was honored with a double rescue of wild animals rescuers of Scout Wildlife Rescue Team (PODAZ) on February 2nd, World Wetlands Day.

A citizen who was passing from the wetland of Messa to Achladeri, spotted two flamingos trapped by fishing line. After telephone communication, two PODAZ rescuers from 5th Mithymna Sea Scout System, rushed to the scene to release the two birds. One flamingo was immediately released without any injury or problem, while the second was safely transported to the scouts’ Home in Molyvos. There it was found that he was injured by hooks and he was offered first aid, food and water. The next day and after communication with the members of the “ANIMA” Wildlife Protection and Care Association, it was deemed necessary to transport him to Athens for appropriate medical treatment. After being placed in a special box for shipment, it was delivered to the ship from Mytilini to Piraeus from where it was received by “ANIMA” volunteers.

It should be noted that Lesbos is the island with the most wetlands in Greece, after Crete. Some of these 65 wetlands in total are the well-known ones: Aliki Kallonis and Polychnitou, the Dipi-Larsou marsh, the estuary of Tsiknias, Bouvaris, Tsichliontas and Faneromeni, the lagoons of Messon, Ennia Kamares and Parakoila. , the Molyvos and Keramio reservoirs and the Pythario dam! Most of them are located on the coasts of the Gulf of Kalloni, Gera and the Western peninsula of the island. Especially those of Western Lesbos, although relatively small, make up a very important network that supports unique organisms, plants and animals of the wetlands. In fact, the birds that pass through the western end of Lesbos perceive it as the continuation of Asia Minor. The wetlands are a valuable source of water and food for the many bird species that breed in the area with the scrub and rocky slopes, acting as a real magnet for visiting bird and nature watchers.

Information and awareness activities for the wetlands of Western Lesvos are implemented by the Museum of Natural History of the Lesbos Petrified Forest and the Center for Environmental Information of Kalloni in collaboration with the North Aegean Region, which include excursions for the public, educational programs for schools, distribution of informative and educational material and many other events. The actions in the wetlands of Western Lesbos were implemented in the context of the action “Actions to highlight protected areas of Lesbos”, which has been included in the NSRF Regional Operational Program “North Aegean 2014-2020” with the implementing body the Museum of Natural History of the Lesvos Petrified Forest.