Two serious poaching incidents in the wider Kerkini area highlight the urgent need for stricter laws, as wildlife poachers in Greece show little concern about being caught.
In December, two poachers were arrested for illegally hunting two roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) near Kerkini National Park and were fined a total of 1,750 euros. On February 6, another poacher was arrested within the park for killing a pregnant female roe deer, highlighting the persistent threat to protected wildlife.
These cases are just the ones that were detected and made public, raising concerns about how many similar incidents go unnoticed each year. The current penalties seem insufficient to deter poachers. Stronger laws and harsher penalties are necessary to protect Greece’s wildlife.
It is astonishing that hunting is taking place in or near one of Greece’s most important National Parks, a destination popular for birdwatching and wildlife photography. Under the wrong circumstances, visitors could find themselves in danger from poachers.
Citizens must urge policymakers to take immediate action and implement stricter regulations against poaching before more endangered species are lost.
The roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is a small deer species native to Europe. Roe deer are primarily crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk, and they inhabit forests, grasslands, and agricultural areas. They are highly adaptable and capable of living close to human settlements. Their diet consists mainly of leaves, shoots, berries, and other vegetation. During mating season, which occurs in late summer, males become territorial and engage in courtship chases with females. Roe deer populations are threatened by poaching and vehicle collisions, making conservation efforts crucial for their protection. In Greece, small populations of roe deer remain in the mountainous regions of the mainland. The species is classified as vulnerable, meaning that if the decline continues, it will soon face the risk of extinction.
