New court ruling on OPAP Arena eagle: ‘There is no custom or tradition to justify such events’

By publishing it on social media, the Hellenic Ornithological Society transferred a decision of the Administrative Court of Appeal of Athens which annuls an earlier decision on the license granted to PAE AEK for the use of the eagle, Odysseuswho was appearing before matches at the OPAP Arena in the 2022/23 season.

The relevant publication in detail:

“Odysseus” scored a goal, public foul! A great victory for the sea eagle who last year found himself giving… a performance before the AEK matches! The Administrative Appeals Court of Athens decided to definitively exempt “Odysseus” as well as any other bird that may replace him, from this thoughtless, brutal exploitation.

The license to operate shows-events in the football matches with the participation of Thalassaetos “Odysseus” was granted to PAE AEK by decision of the municipality of Philadelphia-Neas Chalkidonas. In September 2022, Ornithology and a number of organizations and individuals appealed to the competent administrative court, requesting the annulment of the decision. Later that year, the court rejected the application for a stay against this decision, a development that had greatly alarmed the scientific world and the general public.

However, with decision 2467/2023 (date of publication 15.12.2023), the Athens Administrative Court of Appeal definitively annuls the above decision, as contrary to the animal welfare legislation (law 4380/2021, no. 23), on the grounds that there is no local or folk tradition or custom justifying the participation of the bird (eagle) in such events.

This is an extremely important development, which restores legitimacy and leaves “in the cold” the devotees of outdated practices and concepts, which treat animals as objects to be exploited. To his great credit, the people of AEK opposed this practice from the start, in full agreement with public opinion.

It goes without saying that any similar future decision by the city of Philadelphia or any other city that does not take into account the court’s findings, whether it involves “Odysseus” or any other bird, is unacceptable and should be set aside.