The challenge
The Cyclades region is rich in flora and fauna. Unfortunately, locals and visitors often have little knowledge about the natural environment and biodiversity, including the care needed for injured wildlife animals. Addressing the lack of knowledge about the natural environment and biodiversity in the Cyclades, as well as the need for resources to assist with animal rehabilitation is crucial.
The solution
Actions such as educational and community engagement initiatives for students and tourists, training programs and workshops for locals and volunteers on wildlife rescue and rehabilitation techniques, and establishment of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centers are crucial steps in addressing the challenge of lack of knowledge about the natural environment and biodiversity, as well as providing resources to assist with wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.
Driven by this need, CPF supported ALKYONE Wildlife Hospital to co-design and co-create the ‘first aid’ briefcase, which acted as an educational resource for people to get involved in animal rehabilitation.
Project’s deliverables
The ‘first aid’ briefcase included leaflets, posters, books and DVDs showing how to provide first aid support to injured wild animals, and how to transport injured animals using proper facilities, safely and quickly.[1] [2] The briefcase was distributed to schools, municipalities and Forest Departments, as well as coast guard offices in the Cycladic islands.
You may be also interested in learning more about the “Cyclades Care for Wildlife” program here
About the Grantee
The Aegean Wildlife Hospital (ALKIONI) was founded in 1995 in collaboration with existing facilities in Paros and a number of partners throughout Greece. Their primary aim remains to treat all wild animals which arrive, injured and weak, at their hospital and to reintegrate them back into nature. To date, more than 17,000 wild animals (of which most have been birds), have been taken in at the ALKYONI hospital. Approximately 60% of these have returned to the wild.