In December 2023, I had the opportunity to accompany the organization Action for Wildlife to Lake Kerkini, where we reintroduced a young great white pelican back to the wild.
This pelican was found in a weakened and underweight state in the Chalkidiki Region. Action for Wildlife provided three months of care, during which the pelican thrived and reached a healthy weight of about 7 kilos, doubling its weight from when it was found.
Before its release, N.E.C.C.A.‘s fitted the pelican with tags and a transmitter. This was the third great white pelican to receive such a device. The aim for scientists is to monitor the pelican’s migratory paths to and from Africa. This tracking helps identify resting spots during their migration, enabling conservationists to inform relevant countries to ensure these birds are protected during their journey.
The pelican, tagged K38 and named Drasi, initially hesitated to fly or swim away from the shore, a common reaction after prolonged care. The decision was made to move Drasi to the small island in the middle of the lake, used by pelicans for resting, near the southern dam.
During my January visits to Kerkini, it was heartwarming to see Drasi integrating well with the other birds and thriving.
This success story underscores the vital role of Action for Wildlife in conserving Greece’s wildlife. I encourage you to support their efforts in any way possible. Information on how to do this can be found here.
Seeing animals recover and regain their freedom is incredibly rewarding for those of us who are passionate about nature and wildlife. As an image creator, and a photographer and videographer dedicated to conservation, I feel a strong urge to share these stories with the public. My goal is to inspire more people to cherish and protect nature and its inhabitants.
My heartfelt thanks go to Action for Wildlife for allowing me to be part of this uplifting pelican story!
