A bear was found dead from poisoned bait and in advanced rot in the wider area of ​​the village of Avdella in the prefecture of Grevena, within the North Pindos National Park.

Residents of the area found the bear and informed the environmental organization “Kallisto” and the Management Unit of the North Pindos National Park.

At the same time, in the previous period, a golden eagle and small mammals were found dead in the municipality of Aetomilitsa, Ioannina, while in the area of ​​Olympus, 193 poisoned baits were detected by special teams.

As part of the LIFE ARCPROM project, “Kallisto” operates a poisoned bait detection dog unit and distributes first aid kits against poisoning. According to a related announcement by the organization, the devastating consequences of using poisoned baits have now become one of the main threats to biodiversity and protected species.

The LIFE ARCPROM project aims to improve the conditions for the coexistence of brown bears and humans in three National Parks of Greece (Prespon, North Pindos, Rhodope Mountains) and in one of Italy (Majella). The brown bear (Ursus arctos) is an endangered species and is classified as a “priority species”, being fully protected by European legislation.

Another dead animal, not from poisoned bait but from poaching, was recorded by “Wildlife Action”. It is a Kirkenes that is included in the Red List of threatened animals of Greece and its hunting is prohibited. The animal was taken in with a gunshot wound and died a few days later.