Earlier this year, we visited Alkioni, a wildlife hospital on the island of Paros dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating wild animals across the Aegean islands.
It was a wonderful experience, where we learned about the hospital’s incredible work.
To date, they have rescued and returned more than 17,000 wild animals to their natural habitats, and we were deeply impressed by their dedication to wildlife welfare.
In addition to their rescue efforts, Alkioni provides workshops for local schools, teaching children the importance of caring for wildlife.
Many of the animals at Alkioni have suffered significant trauma. Sadly, this includes gunshot wounds, ensnarement, and an increasing number of animals suffering from dehydration and heat stress, due to extreme temperatures and fires during the summer. The hospital’s mission is to rehabilitate them so they can be safely reintroduced into the wild—not to showcase them to visitors.
After our visit to this incredible rescue, we knew we wanted to help further.
“That’s why I am thrilled to announce a contribution of €10,000 to the Aegean Wildlife Hospital, Alkioni,” said Animal Action Greece’s Chief Executive Joseph Nhan-O’Reilly.
This funding comes at a critical time, as the hospital is currently caring for over 300 animals, with many long stay residents due to the severity of their injuries.
“The grant is made possible through the generosity of our long-term partners, AGA, who once again raised funds from their supporters in response to the fires that spread across Greece earlier this year,” said Joseph
“AGA have helped the rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals affected by fires for several years and in doing so have helped save, care for and release hundreds of animals.”
Alkioni plans to use the funds to care for all the rescued animals in their care and to provide specialist vertinary care. This added expertise will bolster the hospital’s capacity to care for the growing number of birds they are treating.
Some funding will also be used to purchase special food for releasable animals currently residing at the hospital, ensuring their optimal health and readiness for release back into the wild.
Alkioni’s founder and director, Marios Fournaris, expressed heartfelt thanks, describing the funding as “the best Christmas present for our feathered patients.”
Alkioni’s dedication to wildlife rehabilitation and conservation is a testament to their committment and passion. We are proud to stand alongside them in their mission to protect Greece’s extraordinary biodiversity.
