By Nicolas Bard

In the Evros Delta the wildlife flourishes. Between the water channels, the islands of land and the endless reeds you can find flamingos and rare migratory birds, to wild horses and buffaloes, making it one of the most important wetlands in our country. However, the biodiversity of the area in recent years has been in great danger. Among other species, the wild horses of the Delta are at risk of extinction. The reason? They are isolated in a river islet, and do not have access to sweet, drinking water and food. Residents in the area are trying to help them as much as they can, but their work is particularly difficult and costly.

There we now come across about 250 wild horses, which are trapped in an area of ​​18,000 acres in the Evros Delta Delta, Europe’s third largest wetland. These horses, in order to survive, need at least 5 to 6 tonnes of water a day, and there is no drop of drinking water in the area. But how is this explained? As the locals typically say in his camera where there is Greece, the barrier made by the Turks before the Aegean withholding all the fresh water to water their paddy fields, resulting in the sea water entering the river and is salty.

Last summer, five horses were found dead in the islet of the Delta, while many others had symptoms of dehydration. With the support of the Municipality, the locals carry water and hay to the area to survive these beautiful and unhappy creatures. In addition to the diversions of the river on the Turkish side, the Greek side is also responsible for the current situation, as a broken barrier allows all the fresh water to pour into the sea. The area has changed a radically face, and the effects are now evident in all areas.

In addition to the wild horses of the Delta, other species of animals are also at risk, and is also significant in the fish in the area, which have been dramatically reduced. Sometimes the fishermen gathered there in a day 150kg heads, and now with the 50kg forced. Everyone wants the dam and some terraces to be re -established, so as not to salvage the water of the river, and to fill in the winter with fresh water. So far the state has not studied and rehabilitated plans for the habitat, and residents of the area are justified in expressing their concerns about the future.