The recovery of the hundreds of dead avian influenza-stricken Silver Pelicans in Mikri Prespa, and other lakes in western Macedonia, was decided a short while ago, at a wide-ranging meeting held at the Prepi Town Hall, in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Environment George Amyras and with the participation of the regional governor George Kasapidis, the mayor of Prespa George Paschalidis, representatives of the Prespa National Park Management Organisation and the commander of the 9th Brigade based in Florina.
In the last week, about 700 birds, mainly Silver Pelicans and Rose-breasted Pelicans, have been spotted lying dead in the reed fields of Mikri Prespa, while a smaller number, about 30, have been found in Lake Chimaditida in Amyndeon, and just one in Lake Zazari. A small number of dead argali pelicans have also been detected in Lake Kastoria. Microbiological tests carried out by the Florina Veterinary Service showed that the birds are dying from the avian influenza microbe.
Deputy Minister of Environment George Amyras, referring to the bird flu virus, said that "it is not dangerous for humans" but, as he stressed, "the importance of our Prespa habitat obliges us to move quickly and in an organised manner in order to protect the avifauna of the region's lakes". He announced the involvement of the Army, but also the presence of certified companies that will collect the dead birds, observing all public health protocols, while noting that "the necessary resources have been found to finance the project."
This is a disease that started in 2005 in China and according to the director of the Prespes Conservation Society, Myrsini Malakou, "it is currently on the rise mainly in Europe."
Malakou expressed her fears about the spread of the flu to other wetlands in Western and Central Macedonia due to the exchange of populations that takes place on a daily basis. "Our planning must be long-term and effective, not limited to one area but including other wetlands, because the flu virus can spread to other birds," Malakou stressed.
This possibility worries experts because it could cause a domino effect in terms of spreading the virus to bird populations that are found in larger numbers, such as cormorants, which usually cooperate with Cormorants in the search for food. As Nikos Panagiotopoulos from the Wildlife Care Station of the Municipality of Kastoria says, "avian influenza has already spread to some pairs of Swans nesting in the lake", while he expressed concern about the possibility of transmission to colonies of Cormorants, which are found in Lake Kastoria in more than multiple numbers.
It also said that the birds should be removed immediately from the area as long as temperatures are low because as the weather improves and temperatures rise they will begin to decompose rapidly, threatening the safety of the largest colony of Cormorants in the world. According to Myrsini Malakou, "around 4,000 Silver and Roseate pelicans live in the Prespa and make up 20% of the world's stock".
The operation to collect the birds will involve a team of engineers who will deploy floats in the Little Prespa, where special crews will be set up to collect the dead birds in accordance with all the precautionary protocols.
According to the regional governor George Kasapidis, the collection operation will begin immediately and the cremation of the Silver pelicans will be carried out in two certified furnaces in the region of the PE of Kastoria and Kozani.
After the meeting, Deputy Minister George Amyras, accompanied by the mayor of Prespes, the regional governor and the president of the Prespes National Park management body, headed to the field between Mikri and Megali Prespa, where the Silver Pelicans nest and observed with binoculars the nests where the dead birds lie.
A similar meeting with the presence of Mr. Amyras was held at the town hall of Kastoria with the participation of all the officials of the region.
Source: Proto Thema
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