Hundreds of dead silver pelicans were found in Mikri Prespa – It was decided to collect them

The collection of hundreds of dead Pelicans from bird flu in Mikri Prespa, but also in other lakes of western Macedonia, was decided recently, in a wide meeting held at the town hall of Prepa, in the presence of Deputy Minister of Environment George Amyras and with the participation of Arch. George Kasapidis, the mayor of Prespa George Paschalidis, representatives of the Prespa National Park Management Agency and the commander of the 9th Brigade based in Florina.

In the last week, about 700 birds have been found, mainly Arctic Pelicans and Rhododendrons, lying dead in the reeds of Little Prespa, while a smaller number, about 30, has been found in Lake Heimaditida in Amyntaio, while only one in Lake Zazari. Also, a small number of dead Silver Pelicans have been found in Lake Kastoria. Microbiological examinations carried out by the Veterinary Service of Florina showed that the birds die from the bird flu bacterium.

Deputy Minister of Environment George Amyras, referring to the bird flu virus, said that “it is not dangerous for humans” but, as he stressed, “the importance of our habitat in Prespa forces us to move quickly and in an organized way to protect the birds. of the lakes of the area “. He announced the involvement of the Army, but also the presence of certified companies that will collect the dead birds, observing all public health protocols, while he pointed out that “the necessary resources have been found to finance the project.”

It is a disease that started in 2005 in China and according to the director of the Prespa Protection Company Myrsini Malakou, “at the moment it is on the rise mainly in Europe”.

Ms. Malakou expressed her fears about the spread of the flu to other wetlands in Western and Central Macedonia due to the population exchange that takes place on a daily basis. “Our planning must be long-term and effective, not limited to one area but also include other wetlands, because the flu virus can spread to other birds,” said Ms. Malakou.

This worries experts because it could cause a domino effect in transmitting the virus to populations of larger numbers of birds, such as cormorants, which usually co-operate with Pelicans in their search for food. According to Nikos Panagiotopoulos from the Wildlife Care Station of the Municipality of Kastoria, “bird flu has already been transmitted to some pairs of swans nesting in the lake”, while he expressed his concern about the possibility of transmission to the cormorant colonies in the lake. of Kastoria are found in multiples.

It is also stated that the birds should be removed immediately from the area as long as the temperatures are low, because as the weather improves and the temperature rises, they will begin to decompose rapidly, threatening the safety of the largest Silver Pelican colony in the world. According to Myrsini Malakou, “about 4,000 Silver Pelicans and Rose Pelicans are aquatic in Prespa and constitute 20% of the world reserve”.

An engineer ladder will participate in the bird collection operation, where it will develop vessels floating in Mikri Prespa, where in turn the special teams that will be set up observing all the precautionary protocols will collect the dead birds.

According to the governor George Kasapidis, the collection operation will start immediately and the incineration of the Silver Pelicans will take place in two certified kilns in the area of ​​Kastoria and Kozani.

After the meeting, Deputy Minister George Amyras, accompanied by the mayor of Prespa, the governor and the chairman of the Prespa National Park, headed to the field between Little and Great Prespa, where the Silver Pelicans nest and the binoculars nest with binoculars birds.

A similar meeting with the presence of Mr. Amyras was held at the town hall of Kastoria with the participation of all officials in the area.

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