April 2009

LOG-BOOK:

News about Swine Flu is in red and about Greece is in blue

April 1^st: the outdoor-cat “Prummel”, which gave birth 24 hours ago is doing great: the 3 kittens are well fed and are hardly screaming. The Long-eared Owl was 268 (+1), the Dark Barn Owl 280 (+5) and the Goshawk 836 (+8) gram. Tortoises: the home-bred was 88 (-2) and the other 120 (+2) gram. After Dick & Anne had practiced in plucking the Yellow-legged Gull, we started at 10.15 a.m. with the P.M. > the bird was more than well-fed: quite a lot of fat under the skin was discovered. Opening of the abdomen showed free blood and blood-clogs; however the organs in the abdomen were intact. After the ribs on both sides were cut a strange, grain-like substance could be seen, which covered the lungs completely. Showed to be half digested food, which had entered through a rupture in the esophagus. This must have been a weak spot, caused by the accident of March 7^th, which at last has bursted. The right atrium was enlarged, but that’s quite logical in view of the lung-failure. So the final cause of death was suffocation (what already could be decided from the ante-mortem symptoms). At a further exploitation of the abdomen showed she had been a mature female, ready for producing offspring > quite a nice pale “raspberry” was discovered. P.M. was finished at 10.25 a.m. Complete unexpected we were “enjoyed” by the arrival of a part of the Secondary School in Mandamádos: 24 students, 2 teachers and two people from the Environmental Center. The education-level in Greece is sóó high, that those children were surprised about the fact birds don’t have teeth . . . . !! So most probably they still live in the age of the “Archaeopteryx” . . . . !!

Hospital suppliers press for payment

Firms that supply state hospitals with medical equipment yesterday began five-day rolling work stoppages in protest at what they say is the government’s failure to settle the massive debts they are owed by the public sector.

The Association of Greek Science and Health Suppliers (SEP) contradicted the government’s suggestions that its dispute with the firms, which led to a number of hospitals running short of supplies, had been settled.

According to SEP’s president, Panayiotis Stravolaimos, the government has only proposed so far how to settle 35% of the money that the suppliers are owed and even the method it has suggested has met with the association’s disapproval.

Stravolaimos said the government had suggested that the firms could obtain this money by taking out a loan with Hellenic Postbank, which the state would then repay.

There have only been preliminary discussions so far on how the remaining 65% will be paid and suppliers are concerned that the government will allow debts to build up again this year.

“We do not know if our invoices will be paid because, according to the new law, tenders should have been held and an approved list of medical products and suppliers compiled but this has not happened,” said Stravolaimos.

Last November, some suppliers refused to provide any more goods to hospitals and began to remove their equipment in a bid to force the government to pay them. State hospitals owe more than 4 billion euros.

This prompted an immediate response from the government but an initial agreement appears to have collapsed in recent weeks, leaving state hospitals facing the possibility of severe shortages.

“And the iniquity of the fathers will be visited upon children and children’s children, upon the third and fourth generations” :

A clean Asopos is ‘years away’

Cleaning up pollution in the Asopos River in central Greece, which tests have shown to contain high traces of carcinogenic hexavalent chromium, will take years or even decades – as long as it took manufacturers in the area to create the problem with their toxic waste, experts told a press conference yesterday.

According to staff of the Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration (IGME), no action has been taken since October when the disturbing results of tests on Asopos water were played down by the Environment and Public Works Ministry, which said it would conduct new tests.

An IGME spokesperson said the ministry appears to be concerned about the cost of new tests but and that it fears further worrying test results. “It is clear, in the case of the Asopos, that there is an attempt to cover up the problem,” said Vangelos Arapoyiannis, the president of IGME employees.

April 2^nd: in the “maternity-ward” everything is under control. The Long-eared Owl was 268 (=), the Dark Barn Owl 278 (-2) and the Goshawk was 821 (-15) gram. Tortoises: the home-bred was 88 (=) and the other 120 (=) gram. We had the intention doing today the extended cultural excursion with both trainees, but after we had visited the Roman Aqueduct in Mória and arrived at the Castle of Mytiléne, the main-entrance was closed. As well the 2^nd entrance was locked. After having climbed over a wall, we indeed were in between the walls, but the 2^nd entrance to the plain was locked too !! Because we had visited (and explored) this castle already many and many times, a way was found to reach the plain; something what must be done with breakneck climbing. At last we were in through the secret opening in the wall. All buildings in the plain were locked too, but here as well by stealth we could reach the underground prison. At last we were discovered by one of castle-staff, who could tell that everything was closed due to an general strike today. He wondered how we at last could have entered the plain, but after realizing that from our side the castle was visited and explored for more than 16 years, he understood a bit. Quite nice he allowed us finishing the guided tour and opened willingly the closed doors for us, so we could leave the castle in a normal manner. Hereafter in Thermís the pre-christian Holy Oak was visited, and the thermal baths (early-greek and roman) in Paralía Thermís. Through the mountains back to the main-road where we could buy plants for several aviaries.

And again the police looks idiotic:

Cameras to be switched on

Gov’t approves controversial measure in bid to curb crime as police fail to avert escape of three robbers

The decision yesterday by the Government Council on Foreign Policy and Defense (KYSEA) to approve the use of surveillance cameras to crack down on rising crime in the capital was undermined by the police’s inability to prevent the escape of two handcuffed detainees and a bank robber.

The controversial decision to include the use of cameras in efforts to curb a rising crime wave was backed by most ministers attending the KYSEA session that lasted for nearly four hours. It was reportedly decided that the first cameras to be activated would be those used during the Athens 2004 Olympics.

According to sources, the Interior Ministry is planning to hire a further 3,000 officers and acquire hundreds of new patrol cars and motorcycles to boost policing. Footage recorded on the cameras will be kept on file, sources said.

A proposal by British counterterrorism officers regarding the creation of a DNA bank to store the genetic details of all police suspects was not discussed.

Civil rights concerns aside, opposition PASOK spokesman Giorgos Papakonstantinou questioned the effectiveness of using cameras. “Would the two fugitives have been caught today if the cameras had been on,” he remarked.

He was referring to two handcuffed detainees who escaped from police officers at the capital’s main court complex. The fugitives, a Georgian and a Kazakh being held for a supermarket raid that netted them 165 euros, were still on the run last night. Also at large late yesterday was a robber who netted 150,000 euros in a bank raid at Pallini, east of Athens. The robber briefly took hostage a female employee who escaped unharmed. Officers found the bag with the cash later, as well as a gun and the robber’s clothes, at a house in Pallini.

Ministry ready to raise the roof on Santorini

The Culture Ministry indicated yesterday that it is ready to step in and resolve the impasse that has led to the Akrotiri archaeological site on Santorini being closed for more than three years.

The ministry’s general secretary, Theodoros Dravillas, said that a joint ministerial decision would soon be signed with the Public Works Ministry that would clear the way for a new roof to be erected over the site.

The huge steel roof covering the remains of the ancient Minoan settlement collapsed in September 2005 as workers were watering soil laid over it. The accident led to a British tourist being killed while six others were injured.

However, it emerged last month that the latest delay in efforts to place a new roof over the site has arisen because a presidential decree forbids construction at the archaeological site.

Ín the siesta we were disturbed by two reporters from Athens (one writing, the other taking pictures) who were traveling around for a tourist-guide: by all means they wanted us being in there as well. So both ladies had a tour around, but our rest was gone.

At 4.30 p.m. we heard that trainee Dick during his exploration of the Lesbian Fauna had had a meeting with a member of the Whip-snake family (Platyceps najadum ??) > he knows now why they are acting like a “whip” because they bite if one is trying catching them. Further they seem to be only poisonous for their prey, and Dick is too large for that . . . . !! If he, unfortunately, has made a mistake in the determination, his name won’t appear so much anymore in this log-book . . . . !!

We have removed very carefully the splints from the legs of the hanging pigeon, to give the injuries a chance “healing” in the air. May try from tomorrow “tip-toeing”. We could take a better picture of mother “Prummel” with her babies.

In the absence of Tjarda our escaped “Poekie” is seen more and more eating in our court-yard, but he is fleeing as soon as he sees one of us !!

April 3^rd: except of a new out-door cat (ginger-and-white) no shocking cases in our court-yards are to be reported. The Long-eared Owl was 270 (+2), the Dark barn Owl 277 (-1) and the Goshawk 842 (+21 > 3 times measured !!) gram. Tortoises: the home-bred was 94 (+6) and the other 122 (+2) gram. According to the first reports of 6.20 a.m. Dick is still present . . . . !! Meanwhile there is started with the re-organizing of the bottom of the buzzard-aviary. At 11.04 a.m. a phone-call from the vet-practice of Myrsíni Tourvalí in Mytiléne about a pigeon, which will be sent by the 1.15 p.m.-coach. Should be quite malnourished and thin. This bird we had in our hands at 1.52 p.m.; only it wasn’t a little pigeon, but a . . . . COMMON SWIFT > so see over there. Further we were called from Mólivos about a dog (with an owner) with an age of 18+ years, which is (almost complete) blind and is being quite a danger for the traffic (and himself). In spite of the handicaps is leaving the house constantly. Seems to be knocked down already several times and even had to be rescued twice out of the water of the harbor. One will pass-by tomorrow for a “second opinion” (but when we hear the stories, most probably it will be “the last opinion” . . . .)

April 4^th: the Long-eared Owl was 270 (=), the Dark Barn Owl 276 (-1) and the Goshawk 844 (+2) gram. The Common Swift was 46 (-3) gram. Tortoises: the home-bred was 92 (-2) and the other 125 (+3) gram. “Prummel” and her children still are doing perfect. At 7.40 a.m. we have discovered that the Spurr-tighed Tortoise “Sophie” (-8-189; September 30^th ’08) was not alive anymore; however was at the last visit of a school April 1^st still alive and active . . . . !! So a pity !! Trying to release the Common Swift at 7.49 a.m. the bird didn’t got enough “lift” under the wings and so this flight ended in the grass. Tomorrow another try when its warmer.

Post Mortem:

after removing the (reinforced with polyestrene) tape from “Sophie’s” shell, it showed that this kind of “protection” never again may be used for a dorsal injury (in spite of being advised in the specialist literature for plastron-injuries or –surgeries): there was an immense building-up of mould (due to a lack of oxygen) of which she at last has died.

Release:

at 10.00 a.m. we could release very well the male House Sparrow (08-152a; August 12^th ’08).

At the same moment arrived the announced He-Dog: after (yesterday advised by us) 1 tablet Aspirin-for-Children the dog had improved seriously and so there was no reason anymore for a “definitive” solution. Advised to give the dog as a daily doses half a tablet and to protect him more from leaving uncontrolled. Further not in the statistics. In between the buzzard-aviary was made sand-free for the most part. The provider of building-materials was very glad with his first customer in three days and delivered within the quarter of an hour 1 cubic meter of thick pebbles (for 14,50 Euro) in front of our door. Meanwhile we have already started bringing-up those pebbles by hand to the aviary and dumping them on the right spots.

Man dies after waiting 3 hours for ambulance

A 29-year-old man who waited three hours for an ambulance on Thursday, when many first-aid staff had joined a general strike, died on the way to the hospital.

Police said they called an ambulance at around 1 p.m. after seeing the man sitting on a bench outside the police station in Kallipoli looking very ill. An ambulance eventually turned up at 3 p.m. and transferred the man to the hospital where doctors confirmed his death. (according to our calculations there are in between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. only TWO hours and not THREE, but of course this is a shame !! > note L.W.H.)

National First Aid Center (EKAB) staff told Kathimerini that they had warned police there might be a delay due to severe staff shortages, more acute than usual due to the strike. A Health Ministry source put the onus on the Economy Ministry for delaying the approval of additional staff and appeared to suggest that police should have intervened, noting that the police station in Kallipoli is just 200 meters from the Tzaneio Hospital. (so they could have carried him to the hospital !! > note L.W.H.)

Robber caught

A robber who managed to escape from police in Pallini, northeast of Athens, on Wednesday after holding up a bank on Marathonos Avenue, was arrested yesterday. The suspect eluded arrest earlier in the week after abandoning his loot, firearm and clothes in a house close to the bank. Police said they arrested the 29-year-old man in the southern suburb of Kallithea after matching fingerprints on the gun and DNA material on the clothes to his records.

The activities in the buzzard-aviary however had as well as result that the inhabitants had vomited quite a lot and that on some places blood-drops could bee seen. But tomorrow we will be able rounding it off. At 4.10 p.m. we could check “Prummel’s” babies (see picture April 2^nd) and the white-and-black one is a girl, while the grey-and-white ones are boys.

April 5^th: the “hanging Pigeon” had managed in one way or the other getting out of her hammock > this was removed and she is sitting on her heels now. The Long-eared Owl was 274 (+4), the Little Owl 218 (+3), the Dark Barn Owl 275 (-1) and the Goshawk 847 (+3) gram. The last one had to be treated for bumble-foot as well. The Common Swift was 47 (+1) and the Black-headed Gull 333 (+14) gram. Tortoises: the home-bred was 91 (-1) and the other 128 (+3) gram. The Pigeon with the two broken legs was transferred to a somewhat larger cage, where she has more space practicing walking again. The Pigeon with the stiff right elbow (09-025; March 29^th ’09) was transferred to the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” for flying-practices. Around 9 a.m. we received a phone-call that an Athenian school is planning to visit us around 11.30 a.m. > strictly speaking quite a funny way of “planning” from our main urban people !!

Release:

with an unknown final result we have released at 10 a.m. the Common Swift: was flying a lot better but not so high and disappeared behind a wall. The whole field was searched, but without results.

And absolutely “not-Greek” arrived the school from the other Ágia Paraskeví (Athens) exactly at 11.30 a.m.: 25 children and 3 adults. We had to tape both front legs of the Marginated Tortoise “Granny”, because her husband has bitten her in his efforts persuading her to mate . . . . !! Did we start the siesta in bright sunshine, we came out in a cloudy sky with thereafter so much rain we had to take some birds in early. At a certain moment the Table-mount was invisible !! And the whole evening it was pouring with rain !!

April 6^th: only rain last night and early this morning. The Long-eared Owl was 273 (-1), the Dark Barn Owl 278 (+3) and the Goshawk 851 (+4) gram. Tortoises: the home-bred was 90 (-1) and the other 129 (+1) gram. Today again meat (16,225 kilo for 100,43 Euro; total now this year 222,210 kilo for 1401,61 Euro) had to be processed and this happened by both trainees together with Ineke. While they were busy the red pencil was used in trainee-reports, log-books and so on. Our Dark Barn Owl is eating more and more badly: lots of food are given back, the morning-food was vomited almost completely and even the 12 o’clock-feeding couldn’t be ended normally. At 12.26 p.m. a phone-call from the vet-practice of Myrsíni Tourvalí in Mytiléne that with the 1.15 p.m.-coach a Collared Dove will be sent. And just after this call it started raining in such a way, we had to take-in the disabled Rook. The Collared Dove was in our possession at 1.56 p.m. > see over there. After 6 p.m. we received a representative from a Greek environmental umbrella organization, who came to talk about co-operation. However it was already too late for a tour around.

April 7^th: the cat “Prummel” has last night for the first time since her intake March 31^st completely used the cat’s box . . . . !! The Long-eared Owl was 276 (+3), the Dark Barn Owl 276 (-2) and the Goshawk 851 (=) gram. Tortoises: the home-bred was 94 (+4) and the other 131 (+2) gram. The yesterday taken-in Collared Dove is eating quite well on it’s own. And the same can be said about the Pigeon with the 2 broken legs. At the latter we could remove from inside and outside the right leg quite a lot of dead tissue. From the left leg only from the outside; half in, half out there is still a piece of dead bone-tissue which either will be resorbed, or should be removed in a day or so very carefully. We received from the AMCF (Animal Medical Care Foundation) in The Netherlands a box with veterinary medicines.

And Greece is only then interested in the World-News, when Greeks are involved:

Greeks shaken by Italy quake

Hundreds of Greek university students in the Italian town of L’Aquila, devastated by a 6.3-magnitude earthquake yesterday, were being put on planes back to Greece last night as the search continued for one Greek man whose sister was hospitalized after being pulled from the rubble of a building.

Around 400 Greeks studying in the medieval central Italian town were transferred by coach to Rome yesterday where dozens boarded flights home. Olympic Airlines said it would fly all Greek citizens back to Athens free of charge.

A total of 879 Greek schoolchildren currently on exchange trips to Italy are all safe, Education Ministry sources in Athens said.

As the death toll from the quake rose above 100, Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis telephoned her Italian counterpart Franco Frattini and said Greece was ready to send humanitarian staff and supplies to help with the rescue effort.

April 8^th: today 18 years ago we arrived here on the island !! The Long-eared Owl was 277 (+1), the Dark Barn Owl 275 (-1) and the Goshawk 849 (-2) gram. Tortoises: the home-bred was 95 (+1) and the other 133 (+2) gram. The Pigeon with the two broken legs is standing better and better on those legs. And here we have very carefully removed the part of dead bone and the injury “creamed” with Dermisol-cream. The right leg was treated as well with those cream and the stiff last toe was bended again backwards and fixed in this position. Meanwhile the aviary of the little falcons was cleaned of the sand covering the bottom and here as well thick pebbles were poured. Weeds-seeds were strewed in the borders. The out-door Tom-Cat “Earl Grey” which had arrived some days ago with quite a lot of skin-injuries above the right eye, and yesterday didn’t appear at all at the roll-call, turned up at 10 a.m. with an immense pus-flow from the right eye. Came for a quick meal but was further neither approachable nor treatable !!

Greek student dead in quake

Italian rescue workers yesterday pulled the body of a 28-year-old Greek student from the rubble of his apartment in L’Aquila, the central Italian town razed by a 6.3-magnitude earthquake that struck on Monday, killing more than 200 people, after several hours of efforts to save him.

Workers had located Vassilis Koufolias on Monday, as well as his 24-year-old sister and another fellow student who had been in the apartment when the quake struck. His sister and the other student were rescued from the rubble with minor injuries. Koufolias’ mother and girlfriend reportedly shouted words of support for hours as rescue workers struggled to reach the 28-year-old. At 4 a.m. yesterday, the workers got to him but he was already dead.

Hundreds of Greek students based in the medieval town were flown home on an Olympic Airlines flight from Rome yesterday and hundreds more boarded ferries to Patras from Bari.

April 9^th: like we notice is “Earl Grey” doing better: he has slept the whole night in our court-yard (on his own spot) and is eating more and more. The right eye is more quiet and so are the head-injuries. The Long-eared Owl was 278 (+1), the Dark Barn Owl 273 (-2) and the Goshawk 842 (-7) gram. Tortoises: the home bred was 100 (+5) and the other 130 (-3) gram. No special details had to be reported about both Pigeons and the Collared Dove. The right leg of the Pigeon with the 2 broken legs is without bandage and cream now; the left leg still has Dermisol-cream. The back-toe of the right leg, which isn’t functioning, we’ll wait and see for the time being, although physiotherapies will be given.

And at last those two countries are doing something TOGETHER . . . .

Greeks and Turks join forces in rescue exercise

Members of Greek and Turkish military rescue teams help a “survivor” in a simulated response to an earthquake staged near Ankara yesterday. The joint exercise by the Greeks (in blue) and Turks (in red) is aimed at improving the two countries’ readiness for major earthquakes, such as the one that hit L’Aquila in central Italy on Monday.

April 10^th: the already mentioned April 10^th white-and-ginger outdoor-cat is coming more and more to eat over here and so has received a name: “Pinky” (because of the color). And “Pinky” was present early this morning for a good breakfast. The Long-eared Owl was 276 (-2), the Dark Barn Owl 274 (+1) and the Goshawk 843 (+1) gram. Tortoises: the home-bred was 98 (-2) and the other 135 (+5) gram. The Pigeon with the 2 broken legs is capable more and more standing straight. The eye of “Earl Grey” is still unchanged and he isn’t yet allowing us to watch it carefully. Our escaped ex-Tom-cat “Poekie” was as well present to eat, but didn’t know how to run-away fast enough as soon as one of us was spotted. We have removed the bandage around the left leg of the Pigeon (with the 2 broken legs) > now further observation. For the first time in their lives both little Tortoises came in the real sunshine !! As soon as there is no sunshine anymore in the tortoise-pen, they will be taken-in again.

Releases:

at 10.17 a.m. we have released on the spot where we always are setting free foxes (above Achladerí) 10 Spurr-tighed Tortoises; most of them ór hatched in the L.W.H. ór had arrived over here as a baby. However, there were as well two adults rescued and patched up over here in the past years.

Should they have christianized the baby “Dionysos” ??

‘Drunken’ delivery

Corinth doctor suspended

The main hospital in the Peloponnesian town of Corinth yesterday suspended a doctor who allegedly delivered a baby while in a state of inebriation. It was unclear whether there had been any complications during the birth. However, hospital directors deemed that the doctor, who was not identified, had put the mother and her child at risk. Both were said to be doing well yesterday.

Migrants detained

Port Authority officials on Lesvos yesterday detained a total of 25 illegal immigrants who had reached the island from neighboring Turkey in a rowboat, the Merchant Marine Ministry said.

At lunchtime Greek visitors came: one from Athens and his mother from Mytiléne. At 6.35 p.m. we noticed that the eyes of the little kittens are opening. Just thereafter we could clean a bit for the first time the right eye of “Earl Grey”.

April 11^th: the Long-eared Owl was 277 (+1), the Dark Barn Owl 271 (-3) and the Goshawk 844 (+1) gram. Tortoises: the home-bred was 103 (+5) and the other 135 (=) gram. We were “enjoyed” by a toilet-pot which was troubled with digestion-problems: what we were “feeding” came slowly-slowly back upwards . . . . !! The plumber could only be reached by voice-mail . . . . Luckily he called back at 10 a.m. and we could discuss the technique we had to follow, because he is living app. 100 km away from here !! Thanks to his advices and with materials bought by Ineke in Mytiléne, and later with heroism shown by her (doing so a lot of smoke was set free . . . . ) we could use the bathroom completely again at 12.30 p.m. At 4.00 p.m. both eyes of all three little kittens were half open. During the collecting of the food-bowls from the aviaries suddenly “Poekie” appeared on the scene and started “talking” (just as he did inside in the past when he wanted something) > even a very small chuck could be given !! In the evening we went to a lecture with slide about birds on our island (Dick and Anne were baby-sitters), given by our high-pregnant vice-chairman. The lecture however was very static and hardly inspiring (so typical Greek: endless talking about a slide nothing could be detected on . . . . !!)

April 12^th: already very early “Poekie” was present again, loudly talking and he could be hugged quite intensively !! Stayed very close during the preparation of the food all the time. The little kittens are looking with nothing-seeing eyes around and even try to walk a bit (during which there is a loud screaming when they fall from the bed !!). The Long-eared Owl was 274 (-3), the Little Owl 222 (+4), the Dark Barn Owl 268 (-3) and the Goshawk 836 (-8) gram. The Black-headed Gull was 327 (-6) gram. Tortoises: the home-bred was 102 (-1) and the other 135 (=) gram. Since yesterday they have no bottom-heating anymore during the night. In the frame-work of the embellishment (and improvement) of the cages in “The Keep” the cage of the Scop’s Owl has a pebbles-bottom as well; however we had to repair the concrete bottom first, because there were lots of holes and saggings. The whole face of “The Keep” is evidently more bright, because the cage of the Eagle Owls, the Barn Owls and the mixed cage of the Long Eared Owl/Goshawk have meanwhile the same bottom. With the Little Owls we’ll wait a bit longer. The crow-aviary in the court-yard of the Hose-next-door has received meanwhile the same floor-covering > is draining evidently better now !! We received two Dutch/Greek visitors who were guided around perfectly by Dick !! And meanwhile there came a phone-call from Thérma at 11.26 a.m. about a little squirrel they had over there > they should come in our direction and meet us at the junction to Achladerí. And the little one we had in our hands at 12.16 p.m. > see further at CAUCASIAN SQUIRREL. Was kept warm in Anne’s hands on our way back !!

April 13^th: all out-door cats, including “Poekie”, were present early this morning, and all happened without quarreling !! Indoor it was “poorly”: the Long-eared Owl was 272 (-2), the Dark Barn Owl 267 (-1) and the Goshawk 844 (+8) gram. Tortoises: the home-bred was 98 (-4) and the other 129 (-6) gram. Today the first “meat-cutting-day” of this week (due to orthodox Easter next Sun- & Monday there will come another one) and six hands have processed 16,065 kilo (for 100,58 Euro; total now this year 138,275 kilo for 1502,19 Euro). At 10.18 a.m. a phone-call from Erika in Polichnítos about the bitten goatlet which had been here March 23^rd and for which we had prescribed a treatment: showed to be a lot better; wasn’t yet as well like brother/sister but there was progress. As well she will send some people from there around midday with a little cat with “something wrong”. And two ladies from Düsseldorf (Germany) were here at 11.30 a.m. with a black-and-white cat-creature, which was panicking a lot. Using some mental persuasiveness the cat could be taken out of the bench: was stinking like hell due to (olive-)oil on the whole skin. Palpation of the belly first gave the diagnosis “quite pregnant”, but it was a Tom-Cat !! And although all island-inhabitants (cats included) are “Lesbians”, this went too far !! Using some more mental persuasiveness and a lot of trouble 2 cc olive-oil could be given into the rectum. The ladies were prepared for the coming results on their way back. Further not in the statistics. Later in the day we had a yellow weather-alert due to expected thunderstorms for the rest of the day and tomorrow.

April 14^th: and still it’s dry. The Long-eared Owl was 276 (+4), the Dark Barn Owl 269 (+2) and the Goshawk 844 (=) gram. Tortoises: the home-bred was 103 (+5) and the other 140 (+11 > measured thrice !!). We have tried to release the scalped Pigeon (09-014; February 11^th ’09). However, performed after throwing into the air a successful imitation of a Kamikaze-pilot > transferred to “The Keep” for flying-practices. Today we could fasten better with blind rivets the iron bars above the entrance of the cage of the Eagle Owls, placed March 21^st > was a bit difficult because lots of holes had to be drilled above the head.

Turkish violations

Four Turkish jets violated Greek air space above the Aegean islands of Farmakonisi and Agathonisi yesterday, Defense Ministry officials said. The jets were chased off by Greek fighter planes, they added.

Hospital debts

The Health Ministry yesterday sent a circular to all the country’s state hospitals, calling for the payment of outstanding debts to medical suppliers within the next two months. The circular is said to have been approved by the Economy Ministry. State hospitals are believed to be more than 2 billion euros in debt.

And while the black clouds are threatening gluing together above our heads (but it’s still dry !!) the weather-alert due to thunderstorms was extended for the whole country into tomorrow. At 4.30 p.m. we have removed the hanging cast from the wing of the Collared Dove. At 4.50 p.m. it started raining softly so we hurried getting the animals back inside. We succeeded, but meanwhile the rain had started pouring so hard we had to change clothes afterwards, sóó wet we were !! During the evening the thunderstorms broke really, with a struck close to our houses: was an immense bang !!

April 15^th: somewhere in the night the whole island was plunged into darkness; this was noticed by us at 4 a.m. So taking the dogs out was evidently difficult. Improvising we have finished all duties; including measuring and feeding. The Long-eared Owl was 275 (-1), the Dark Barn Owl 266 (-3) and the Goshawk was 830 (-14) gram. Tortoises: the home-bred was 107 (+4) and the other 138 (-2) gram. The scalped Pigeon had done well in “The Keep” during his first night over there. In “The Keep” we discovered 12 beetles, which we could set free on a safe spot. At 7 a.m. there was electricity again . . . . !! And we could start with checking all the rooms if somewhere “unaware” light had been switched on and all timers had to be regulated again. We could remove from the left leg of the Pigeon with the 2 broken legs (hopefully) the last piece of dead tissue (a.o. bone). The metal frame-work above the entrance of the cage of the Eagle Owls was complete finished today (the same amount of work/problems as yesterday). Tomorrow we can start painting.

Fugitive eludes police, again

Search for Palaiokostas resumes in western Attica after fingerprints found on car of roadblock evader

A massive police hunt was under way in western Attica last night for a man, believed to be the escaped convict Vassilis Palaiokostas, who evaded a police roadblock in a sports utility vehicle near the coastal town of Alepochori and fled on foot after the pursuing officers shot out his tires.

Police suspicions were all but confirmed late yesterday when fingerprints discovered on the abandoned SUV were found to match those of Palaiokostas and Albanian convict Alket Rizai. The pair escaped together from Korydallos Prison in February in a spectacular helicopter jailbreak modeled on a virtually identical breakout in 2006.

As police helicopters and patrol cars scoured western Attica last night by air and land, sources said Palaiokostas was believed to be hiding in the area’s Geraneia Mountains.

Sources said police units were dispatched to monitor the area a few days ago following reported sightings there of the 43-year-old serial robber.

When the black SUV failed to stop at a police roadblock shortly after midnight on Monday, officers’ suspicions were raised. A chase ensued for about 3 kilometers until police stopped the SUV by shooting at its tires. The suspect then reportedly abandoned the vehicle and disappeared into a nearby forest. A check on the SUV determined that it was a stolen vehicle with fake license plates, copied from another black SUV to create confusion. A search inside the vehicle turned up a Kalashnikov automatic rifle and five mobile telephones whose batteries had been removed to reduce trace-ability. The police forensic unit took the evidence in for examination yesterday.

And that heavy downpour later went in our direction, because there was a west southwestern wind:

Sudden heavy downpour . . .

Tourists on an open-top double-decker sightseeing bus had to don rain gear yesterday afternoon when they were caught in a sudden heavy downpour that caught thousands of Athenians unprepared. The deluge caused temporary problems on the city’s roads as well.

Turkish violations

Four Turkish jets violated Greek air space above the Aegean island of Farmakonisi yesterday, Defense Ministry officials said. The Phantom reconnaissance aircraft were chased off by Greek fighter planes, the officials added. The transgressions came a day after Turkish jets violated Greek air space in the same area.

We received from Mytiléne the family who had discovered the baby-squirrel: a mother with two little girls, At 8.40 p.m. the dogs started barking like hell > two laddies at our doorstep with a plastic bag with thrown-away puppies > see at PUPPY.

April 16^th: what a pleasure being able doing all the work with normal electric light !! The Long-Eared Owl was 275 (=), the Dark Barn Owl 264 (-2) and the Goshawk 831 (+1) gram. Tortoises: the home-bred was 104 (-3) and the other 143 (+5) gram. The Collared Dove (09-028; April 6^th ’09) was at 7.45 a.m. with colored rings transferred to the Aviary for flying-practices. Was sitting already at 8.20 a.m. in top of the alcove over there !! We started with measuring and calculating the two pens on top of “The Keep” which will be extended next month. And we ordered 30 meters of iron, which will be delivered today or tomorrow. We could take a picture of “Prummel’s” children without their mother.

The beginning was made with painting the new made iron above the entrance of the cage of the Eagle Owls, but we had to stop doing so because the iron (70 kg !!) was brought already at 10.45 a.m. for 78,40 Euro (including the delivery).

Palaiokostas hideout raided

Police yesterday were examining evidence taken from the suspected hideout of escaped convict Vassilis Palaiokostas in Alepochori, western Attica, which officers raided late on Tuesday night.

The raid on the coastal summerhouse was carried out just a few hours after a man believed to be Palaiokostas evaded a police roadblock in the area and fled on foot into a nearby forest.

Officers emerged from the raid with several forged driving licenses, fake car license plates as well as wigs and other disguise props. But the search turned up no guns or money.

It is believed that Palaiokostas and Alket Rizai, the Albanian convict with whom the 43-year-old serial robber escaped from Korydallos Prison in February, had been holed up in the Alepochori house for the past two months.

Police are now also seeking Rizai’s 33-year-old Greek girlfriend, who has been going under the fake name of Eleni Fotiadou and is believed to have rented the house for the two fugitives to use as a hideout. The woman is believed to be the same tall blonde who rented the helicopter used in February’s spectacular jailbreak. At that time, she used the name Alexandrova, police said.

The 33-year-old is believed to have been present in court when the two criminals were on trial for their first helicopter escape in June 2006 and to have slipped a wrist watch that also functions as a cellular phone to Rizai that the pair are believed to have used to communicate with accomplices.

A massive police operation in western Attica, involving some 500 officers, was called off late yesterday as it became clear that the fugitives had once again eluded authorities. But Interior Minister Christos Markoyiannakis said that the search would go on. “The Palaiokostas case is a priority. The effort will continue and we hope to have results soon,” he said.

And the health-care is again scoring high in Greek hospitals:

Rat bite

A rat bit a patient who was recovering from surgery in Rethymnon Hospital on Crete, the local hospital workers union said yesterday. A union spokesman said that the patient was bitten on the hand on March 25. A visitor killed the rat.

Hospital bug

At least 10 patients at the Attiko Hospital in Chaidari have been struck down by a bug, doctors said yesterday. The bug is believed to have been caused by the Klebsiella bacteria, which can lead to various diseases.

At 5.35 p.m. we discovered that the Pigeon in the window-frame of the 2^nd floor of our house had again two just hatched children.

April 17^th: the Long-eared Owl was 273 (-2) and the Goshawk 836 (+5) gram. The Dark Barn Owl, which evidently “isn’t believing in it anymore” had diminished again: 258 (-6) gram. Is as well hardly to feed, because is giving (almost) all back again !! Tortoises: the home-bred was 101 (-3) and the other 139 (-4) gram. Early in the morning we could finish the painting in “The Keep”, which couldn’t be done yesterday. And it doesn’t matter if it concerns a high-speed ferry or a ramshackle old barrel, they probably will never learn it here:

Ferry collision

More than half of the 802 passengers on board the “Highspeed 5” passenger ferry were forced to use other vessels to get to their destinations yesterday after a collision in Paros. The ferry struck the quayside in the harbor at 11.15 a.m. Nobody on board was injured.

The Collared Dove, we had transferred to the Aviary yesterday, can be seen on top of the highest nest-boxes and he/she can’t done so walking. So in the course of next week checking if there can be a release. Late in the evening after days of absence the out-door-cat “Pinky” was again present for a good meal !!

April 18^th: the Long-eared Owl was 273 (=), the Dark Barn Owl 261 (+3) and the Goshawk 833 (-3) gram. Tortoises: the home-bred was 110 (+9) and the other 143 (+4) gram. The Pigeon with the 2 broken legs (09-024; March 29^th ’09) was transferred to the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” at 7.07 a.m. > was sitting in no time above against the nest-tower, during which both legs were used well. Seems to have less of no problems with the one “stiff or lame” back-toe. Both trainees Anne and Dick have finished their trainee-ship over here well and are preparing now for a one week long hike over the island, by which the subject “survival” from their school will be of a great advantage. But first they assisted with the cutting of the meat (17,150 kilo for 103,63 Euro; total now this year 255,425 kilo for 1605,82 Euro), because tomorrow it’s Easter here and so the day after tomorrow all shops will be closed. And this festival here means that already from last Thursday no post was delivered anymore and it will be at the earliest Wednesday before something in coming through, because next Tuesday of course everyone has still an Eastern-hangover . . . . !! At 9.45 a.m. there was a pick-up in front of our door with as a passenger the he-dog “Booby” (09-001) we had treated from January 10^th till the end of that month because of a fractured front-leg: now the poor soul had returned home last night after having eaten “something wrong” (read: had been poisoned !). They had forced him to consume heaps of olive-oil and due to this he was quite vivid again . . . . !! Only: refused eating and/or drinking (not sóó strange after such a therapy . . . . !!). Advised starting first with a mixture of salt and sugar in water. Further not in the statistics. Meanwhile we started with cutting the 30 meter iron into pieces, so we will be able later giving those pieces exact the length and shape they’ll need. We were enjoyed with 2 Dutch visitors from The Hague who had collected for us in a hospital over there lots of (over there superfluous) stitches.

April 19^th: it’s Easter over here and so last night it was a “shit-hullabaloo” from all kinds of fire-arms and fire-crackers > we don’t understand the cohesion in between one thing and the other so well, but that’s our problem !! The Long-eared Owl was 269 (-4), the Little Owl 221 (-1) and the Dark Barn Owl 257 (-4) gram. The Goshawk had vomited almost all given food yesterday: 813 (-20) gram; so doesn’t believe in it anymore as well. The Black-headed Gull was 324 (-3) gram. Tortoises: the home-bred was 107 (-3) and the other 149 (+6) gram. From our out-door-cats only “Earl Grey” and “Papa” weren’t present this morning; all the others were here and all happened without problems: even “Pinky” and “Little Brother” were eating next to each other. The people opposite our house think it’s necessary roasting their easter-lamb in the midst of the public road and doing so all and everyone should yield for that !! After we had delivered both (now ex-)trainees at the beginning of the cañon of the Vótsi-river (south of Mandamádos), and we could see lots of orchids of the specimen Serapias over there, we were still able doing something with the iron after returning home. Taking back the Black-headed Gull at 5.15 p.m. from his day-pen suddenly a little Tortoise was spotted, walking at the edge of a (for her) 2,5 meter deep “precipice” !! Showed the netting of this pen had a hole, which we temporarily have closed with a huge piece of rock. Tomorrow we’ll have a look if we can repair more definitively. But tomorrow there will come a cat from Parákoila as well for “de-mothering”, so . . . . ?? Very late in the evening “Pinky” came and wanted to eat.

April 20^th: the Long-eared Owl was 270 (+1), the Dark Barn Owl 260 (+3) and the Goshawk, who had again vomited last night, was 813 (=) gram. Tortoises: the home-bred was 107 (=) and the other 147 (-2) gram. At 4.45 a.m. “Earl Grey”, “Poekie” and “Little Brother” were already present to eat, followed even before 6.30 a.m. by “Pappa” and “Little Friend”. Exactly at 8 a.m. arrived the highly-pregnant semi-stray cat from Parákoila > see further at CAT. The hole in the netting from the tortoise-pen we could (in any case for the time being) close with a piece of rock from the inside and concrete from the outside, and the old netting was used as reinforcement. For the extension of the pen for terrapins (where now the Black-headed Gull is during the day-times) we could cut the iron rafters; only on the places they will be fastened they should be bended yet. When around midday we would give the just operated cat “Torr” the chance stretching her legs a bit (safety-first we had locked the cage of “Prummel” and her kids), mother “Prummel” completely went mad and tried to penetrate the netting to come out the cage. The poor “Torr” didn’t know what exactly was wrong, was hiding under a stool and fled after loud screaming from the other one straight back into her cage. So those will become the days . . . !! Meanwhile we have started feeding the Goshawk again soft food, hoping this won’t will be vomited !! Late in the evening all was quiet in “Torr’s” cage.

April 21^st: “Torr” has had a quiet night and the injury was (still) nice and quiet !! However: piddled or relieved isn’t yet done. The Long-eared Owl was 271 (+1), the Dark Barn Owl 265 (+5) and the Goshawk 792 (-21 !!) gram. But there wasn’t vomited anymore !! Tortoises: the home-bred was 106 (-1) and the other 145 (-2) gram. “Pinky” showed-up this morning as well for a breakfast. He even can be chucked !! “Torr” is sitting when she has the chance in front of the window in the Sick-Bay > she wants out !! But we don’t want a repeat of the “Charlie-case” (see March 13^th and following days), so she has “confinement to bed” till we’re 100% sure the stitches will hold !! At 10.20 a.m. a phone-call from a Mytilenian surgeon, who last night had found in Sígri a “geráki” (bird-of-prey) > wasn’t able to fly. Because he should travel today in the direction of the island-capital, he’ll come and bring the bird. After having heard the description (grey with spots, twice the seize of a pigeon) it should be possible being a Honey Buzzard. So we prepared a cage for that seize in the Sick-Bay. For the cage of the terrapins the rafters are bent in shape meanwhile. For the hedge-hog-cage the holes for the new rafters are drilled meanwhile as well. “Torr” has peed and produced droppings for the first time after the surgery > all OK.

And just like we thought in the past in Holland “where is all those shit-stuff necessary for after all”, we’re wondering over here double. Threatening evil spirits at new-years eve one can understand, but this . . . . :

Three hurt by Easter fireworks and bonfire

At least three people sustained serious injuries over the Easter holiday weekend, two after mishandling traditional (read: home-made > note L.W.H.) fireworks and a third due to a bonfire.

The worst case involved a 27-year-old man who lost his right arm shortly after midnight mass on Saturday after setting off a homemade firework in Nea Peramos, western Attica. On Easter Sunday, a 15-year-old youth in the Cretan port of Chania suffered serious burns after trying to throw gasoline at a bonfire that held an effigy of Judas Iscariot (and most probably a black dog was “performing” Judas and burnt alive !!). The bottle containing the gasoline caught fire, badly burning the youth’s arms. Later on Sunday, a 13-year-old boy was hurt after a homemade flare he picked up in the street in the coastal suburb of Neo Faliron exploded in his hands. There were reports of several people suffering partial or total loss of hearing after standing too close to fireworks going off.

The announced “geráki” was here at 12.58 p.m., but they have in the place-of-birth of the discoverer evidently quite little pigeons (should have the double seize of a pigeon after all !!) > see further at KESTREL. The discoverer and his relatives were showed around as well. At 4.15 p.m. a phone-call from Skála Kallonís about a dog where the face was burned (as well a “Judas” ??) > we should come at once. The people were told they could bring the dog for examination, but that we had no intake-capacity. At 8.35 p.m. we were disturbed by a complete-drunk sobbing fellow-villager who, after he had stumbling descended the stairs to his oblique parked in the street van, with lots of difficulties tried to explain to us that something was wrong with his doggie and that his little daughter was crying so much . . . . !! See further at SHE-DOG.

April 22^nd: “Torr” had last night re-decorated her cage completely and wanted out !! The Long-eared Owl was 272 (+1), the Dark Barn Owl 265 (=), the new Kestrel 162 (+20 !!) and the Goshawk 777 (-15) gram. The last one however hasn’t vomited anymore since yesterday afternoon !! Tortoises: the home-bred was 108 (+2) and the other 141 (-4) gram. We’re not measuring them anymore from now on. At 6.15 a.m. the first lightnings and thunders came !! We have heard by phone at 8 a.m. that the she-dog “Béba” from last night is doing well. Because the cat “Torr” is getting completely mad in her cage and even tries biting the netting into pieces to get out, we had to make the decision letting her go back to where she belongs today, because otherwise the therapy is worse than the reason. We know it’s a risk, but . . . . ?!?! In the cage of the Scop’s Owl we had te replace a piece of netting, close to the water-basin, which was completely rusted and rotten by a piece of still good netting which had come from above the entrance of the cage of the Eagle-owls and which wasn’t bitten into pieces.

Peloponnese tremor

An earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale shook parts of the Peloponnese yesterday but did not cause any damage or injuries. The epicenter of the quake, which struck at 11.06 a.m., was in the sea off the coast of Methoni, southwest of the Peloponnese.

And in Greece of course everything is always different from what one should expect from- and in a normal country:

Island told to pay for coast guard

Authorities and residents on the tiny Aegean islet of Agathonisi, which has been swamped by illegal immigrants from neighboring Turkey, are up in arms following the apparent reluctance by the Merchant Marine Ministry to finance a local coast guard facility, it emerged yesterday.

In a letter from the ministry’s projects department dated March 31, but which reached local authorities only this week as the island does not have a postal service, responsibility for the establishment of a depot is shifted to island authorities. An extract of the letter reads: “Please let us know immediately whether the community of Agathonisi would be able to cover the cost of renting premises, the necessary equipment (furniture, computers, air conditioning etc) as well as operating expenses (electricity, water, telephone).”

Two weeks later, and after failing to receive a response, the same ministry department reportedly sent another letter to authorities on Agathonisi, asking them to provide the ministry with an estimate of the operating costs of a local depot but not offering to cover these costs.

Sources at the ministry yesterday told Kathimerini that the island’s community leader, Evangelos Kottoros, had been informed about the new letter. But, speaking to Kathimerini yesterday, Kottoros said he knew nothing about the latest letter, adding that the crisis on the island has been long in the making.

“I first sensed the risk in 2007 and have since asked a series of ministers to help us set up a coast guard facility on the island,” Kottoros said, adding that ministry officials had visited Agathonisi last year to discuss the problem. He said the island authorities did not have the financial capacity to cover the depot’s operational costs. “What do they want – residents to leave the island?”

Currently migrants reportedly make up half the island’s permanent population of 150, though in summer, when human-smuggling activity peaks in the Aegean, there were several hundred illegal visitors camped around the islet.

Family of five survives 40-meter plunge in car

A family of five, including three small children, emerged virtually unscathed from the wreck of their car early yesterday after plunging into a ravine some 40 meters deep.

The accident occurred at around 9 a.m. on the road from Lamia to Domokos in central Greece at a spot that traffic police have highlighted as a danger zone. The car crashed through the roadside barriers and down into the ravine, according to police who said that a light shower had made the road surface slippery.

The father, who had been driving, and his wife extricated themselves from the wreck first before rescuing their smallest children, aged 2 and 3. Their third child, a 5-year-old boy, remained trapped in the car wreck for over an hour until the local fire service managed to cut him free. He was given first aid at a local hospital, where doctors said he had suffered no serious injuries or major shock.

BEE LINE

Large nest removed in Serres

Firemen collaborated with a beekeeper yesterday to remove a nest of some 6,000 wild bees from the window ledge of an abandoned house in the center of Serres, in northern Greece. The swarm of bees entering and leaving the hive reportedly had caused panic among residents in the city center. The bees were scooped into a special case and removed from the area.

And although is was “hit well”, it still remains a . . . .

Lucky miss

Police in the Cretan port of Chania yesterday were seeking the motorist who crashed into a bus stop near the city center early yesterday before hitting a tree, a trash can and a wall and then driving off. No one was injured.

And this is blessing with the right hand and the left on the trigger . . . .

Holy row

Police in Ioannina, northwestern Greece, have detained a 60-year-old priest alleged to have opened fire on a 30-year-old disabled man with an air gun, causing him a minor leg injury, it was reported yesterday. The victim, whose disability was not clear, was given first-aid treatment at a hospital and then discharged.

At 11.30 a.m., while we were feeding, the heavy weather broke really with huge hail-stones (we have measured a piece of ice with a diameter of 3 cm; and this was a piece of a broken hail-stone !!) which maybe have caused damage to the transparent undulated roof-parts on the Sick-Bay and on “The Keep” > however we’ll wait for better weather to check this !! In really a hurry we have taken back-in the Black-headed Gull; all the other birds had found a shelter. As soon as “Torr” at 12.30 p.m. had heard English which was spoken (although with a heavy Scottish accent), she became quiet and entered herself the transport-bench > let’s hope the stitches will hold . . . . !! At 5 p.m. it was pouring sóó hard that we, after the removal of the food-bowls of the day-eaters, could change all the clothes we’re wearing for dry ones !! Till now on there seems to be no structural damage to the transparent undulated roof-parts due to the big hail-stones of this afternoon. At 6.40 p.m. we haven given the Kestrel a green foot-ring to recognize him later from the other two.

April 23^rd: except from “Pinky” (but he had been here late yesterday evening) all other out-door cats had been present for a breakfast in between 4.45 and 6 a.m. The Long-eared Owl was 273 (+1), the Dark Barn Owl 264 (-1) and the Goshawk was 770 (-7) gram. The (green) Kestrel was 168 (+6) gram. This one, during the cleaning of his cage (he escaped), showed indeed not being capable flying well > seems if there is something wrong with the right wing !! At 8.05 a.m., during the cleaning of the bath in the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” a quite young Pigeon was discovered which was sóó heavily injured on the head (all skin had disappeared; eyes were swollen) that we had to put him down. There came a phone-call from Parákoila about a cat which maybe should be poisoned > told which symptoms they should take care of. Further we heard that the stitches in de injury of “Torr” still are present; they are doing everything keeping her out of the streets.

Bureaucratic error or “let’s give it a try and watch if . . . . “ ??

Ministry about-turn on Agathonisi

The Merchant Marine Ministry yesterday pledged to immediately create a permanent coast guard facility on the tiny Aegean island of Agathonisi, which has been overwhelmed by an influx of illegal immigrants.

The initiative, which is to begin with the transfer to the island of two permanent coast guard officials in the next couple of days, came just one day after authorities on the island complained at having been asked to finance a facility themselves.

A source at the ministry yesterday told Kathimerini that a “bureaucratic error” was to blame for a letter sent to island authorities last week. (see for the content of this letter April 22^nd). The island’s community leader, Evangelos Kottoros, told Kathimerini that locals do not have the financial capacity to cover the cost of such a facility.

In a related development, Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said Greece would seek the help of “Frontex”, the European Union agency overseeing border security, to curb an influx of illegal immigrants that exceeded 140,000 last year. Bakoyannis heralded the measure following an emergency meeting with Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos late on Tuesday. Another issue discussed at the meeting was the repatriation of illegal immigrants other than those who are eligible for refugee status, Bakoyannis added.

Road accident

Two die after their car hits coach of Dutch children

Two people were killed in the Peloponnese yesterday afternoon after their car hit a coach carrying a group of Dutch schoolchildren. The accident occurred near the village of Kapsia in the area of Mantineia under circumstances that have not yet been clarified. The driver and passenger of the car were still alive when freed from the vehicle by firemen but were declared dead on arrival at a local hospital. There were no details released by late yesterday about their identity. None of the 27 schoolchildren were injured and they continued their journey to the port of Nafplion on another coach.

And the subjoined sounds all very nice, but it will probably ending-up in empty words . . . .

Animal cruelty

Agricultural Development Minister Sotiris Chatzigakis yesterday heralded a draft bill that foresees heavy fines for individuals found guilty of torturing or wantonly killing animals. The minister said that the legislation would apply to the mistreatment of strays, including the deliberate poisoning of animals, but also to the abuse of animals by circus troupes. Certain provisions in the bill foresee the creation of special shelters for the temporary accommodation and vaccination of stray dogs and cats. As far as circus troupes are concerned, the bill aims to ban them from staging shows in Greece that abuse animals.

We have discovered who was the “demolisher” of the Pigeon of this morning < was now busy doing the same with the Pigeon with the 2 broken legs (09-024; March 29^th ’09). The wrongdoer, a Rock Dove, was caught.

Release:

we have caught and released well the Rock Dove (09-015; February 26^th ’09). Was flying well straight to the roof of the deserted houslet .

April 24^th: except “Pappa” all out-door-cats had arrived for their breakfast before 6 a.m. The Long-eared Owl was 271 (-2), the Dark Barn Owl 265 (+1), the Kestrel 172 (+4) and the Goshawk 765 (-5) gram. The feeding of the patients happened while two of the three children of “Prummel” had left their cage for the first time and were playing around our feet . . . . !! From Parákoila came the message that “Torr” still is doing fine and that the (maybe) poisoned cat is better now as well > showed to have (had) an otitis, due to which lots of saliva was produced > is getting antibiotics now. We received a “fraternal” (from an Animal Ambulance service) visit from Holland.

Agathonisi gets patrol boat but woes persist

Authorities on the tiny Aegean island of Agathonisi, which has been overwhelmed by illegal immigrants, yesterday welcomed news that a coast guard vessel had been dispatched to patrol their shores but complained that their efforts to transfer the migrants to reception centers were being hindered.

Evangelos Kottoros, Agathonisi’s community leader, welcomed the ministry’s initiative to dispatch a patrol vessel with a 26-member crew to his island. He also expressed satisfaction at reports regarding the drafting of a presidential decree which foresees the creation of a local coast guard facility. However, he said efforts to transfer 96 migrants from Agathonisi to reception centers were being blocked by authorities on Patmos who fear the migrants will end up there. Agathonisi residents have given food and aid to some migrants but the remainder are homeless and hungry.

Trouble at sea

Strong winds at sea and an incident of mechanical failure yesterday caused problems for passenger vessels and cargo ships. A passenger ferry bound for Tzia returned to Lavrion due to high winds while a Georgian-flagged cargo ship was stranded off the island of Evia after the vessel suffered a mechanical failure. The 11 crew members of the Sun Rays were all said to be safe. Meanwhile a ferry that had set sail from Samos yesterday afternoon was last night stuck at the island’s main port of Vathi after its two anchors became entangled. Two divers sent down to try and free them had not succeeded by late yesterday.

We had to remove the young Pigeon (09-013; February 11^th ’09), which we had placed in the Aviary March 28^th because he/she was picked in the pigeon-cage in “The Keep”, from the Aviary because we have the suspect he/she is doing now the same to Zebra-finches: this morning 9 dead birdies were discovered !! At 7 p.m. no dead birdies could be discovered anymore > so we have caught the true “evil”.

April 25^th: all out-door cats were present early this morning, but it’s quite a puzzle giving them all without causing a fight or so !! The Long-eared Owl was 270 (-1), the Dark Barn Owl 269 (+4), the Kestrel 178 (+6) and the Goshawk 756 (-9) gram. “Prummel’s” children are daring coming out of their cage more and more. The Pigeon in the window-frame of the 2^nd floor of our house has during the heavy weather of some days ago protected herself and her children well. And it seems if we had caught and accused the wrong suspect, because while the mentioned Pigeon was sitting in a cage in the Sick-Bay we discovered at 9 a.m. another dead Zebra-finch > same cause of death like the other ones . . . . !! So who is the real perpetrator ?? At 11.10 a.m. we had removed out of the Aviary one year of seed-remnants, the old Yucca’s and planted other ones. Of those there is one planted over there for the first time in 2007, removed for a “sabbatical year” in 2008 and now planted again. The others were bought April 2^nd when we came back from the cultural excursion a.o. to Mytiléne. At 5.15 p.m., during the feeding-round, we were called by Anne & Dick that they had found an injured PIGEON: one wing was broken and had blood coming out of the bill > so we picked it up. See further at COLLARED DOVE.

April 26^th: only three of the six out-door-cats were present early this morning. The Long-eared Owl was 272 (+2), the Little Owl 221 (=) and the Dark Barn Owl 275 (+6) gram. The Kestrel was 188 (+10) and the Goshawk 745 (-11) gram. The Black-headed Gull was 306 (-18) gram Tortoises: the home-bred was 105 (-3) and the other 142 (+1) gram. At 6.35 a.m. we brought 5 full waste disposal bags (only from the Aviary) to the rubbish-dump, where we discovered an intact (huge seize) overall > all zippers were still working; was only dirty. Taken with us for cleaning and later to be used as working-clothes. And not even one hour later we were phoned about the poisoned doggie from the 21^st > was here at 7.50 a.m. > seer further at SHE-DOG. Changing the water-basin in the pigeons-cage in “The Keep” we discovered in a corner a just hatched baby pigeon and there were still two intact eggs > due to the 3 eggs we had thought it was a “blind nest”, but the contrary had been true !! Except from doing all the cleaning in “The Keep” without help, there was made time as well for finishing the cleaning in the Aviary, so it will be ready for tourists to come. At 5.30 p.m. the 2^nd egg in the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” had hatched as well > now wait and see what the 3^rd egg will be doing. The three children of “Prummel” received their official names now: the eldest, a girl, became “Arwen”. The male with only the grey ears is now “Merijn” and the one with the most grey will be called “Gandalf”.

April 27^th: at 5.20 a.m. left for Holland after a successful trainee-ship Anne and Dick. Now we’re expecting the next one, Joren, who will arrive tonight. The Long-eared Owl was 272 (=), the Dark Barn Owl 275 (=), the Kestrel 184 (-4) and the Goshawk 735 (-10) gram. Placing the food-bowls in the aviaries of the day-eaters we have discovered that in the crow-aviary, on top of the roof of the kitchen of the House-next-door, the roost-tree (which is placed in the old chimney of the fire-place) has loosened completely and that the concrete chimney is quite damaged > so will give problems when it’s raining. Should be repaired a.s.a.p. In the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” still 2 baby pigeons. We have checked all working-clothes, fastened buttons, repaired tears and we could even condemn some blouses/jackets and promote them fit for building- & painting-activities, so many we have at this moment. Only in trousers we aren’t assorted so well !! Today ,eat had to be processed again, and because we are in the “trainee-free period”, Janice came especially from Parákoila to assist: 10,145 kilo had to be processed (for 63,25 Euro; total now this year 265,570 kilo for 1669,07 Euro). Via the village-loudspeaker-system we were told that the whole village will be without water tomorrow: from early in the morning till somewhere in the afternoon . . . . !! All old Yucca’s, removed from the Aviary and defacing our court-yard for a day or so, are stripped from dead leaves, glued old seeds and placed on a safe spot where they will have the chance to recuperate (if . . . . ??). From those, removed from the Aviary in 2008 and which had a “sabbatical year”, some were planted in the buzzard-aviary. In the tortoise-pen a double one (from the Aviary) can recuperate and in the Peregrine-aviary a new, triple one, is planted.

SWINE FLU

Precautionary measures taken

There will be a doctor with expertise in infectious diseases on 24-hour duty at Athens International Airport and «discreet checks» will be carried out on some passengers following the breakout of a deadly case of swine flu in Mexico, the government promised over the weekend. Four rooms at the Sismanoglio Hospital in northern Athens have also been set aside for the treatment of any victims of the flu, which has killed more than 80 people in Mexico. The head of the Emergency Pandemic Committee, Panos Efstathiou, said that Greeks and Europeans (conclusion: in Greek eyes Greek are no Europeans !! > Note L.W.H.) should not fear contracting the disease, as it is likely to be confined to Central and North America (that in the news is told that the disease has appeared already in other spots on earth, this good fellow evidently doesn’t want to know . . . . !! > note L.W.H.)

And Olympic Airways shouldn’t be Olympic Airways if they were in time, so the flight arrived with a delay of two hours and Joren Derksen arrived (at 10.20 p.m.) here as well two hours later as was planned > so a short night !!

April 28^th: the Long-eared Owl was 273 (=1), the Dark Barn Owl 273 (-2), the Kestrel 189 (+5) and the Goshawk 727 (-8) gram. At 6.30 a.m. already one washing-machine was done, all water-basins had been cleaned and re-filled and all necessarily precautions had been taken for the expected water-stop. The two baby-pigeons in the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” are still not trampled by the other pigeons . . . . !! Joren had his tour-around and could go fitting the working-clothes > indeed we had some in his seize. Paint, brushes, blind-rivets and iron-drills were bought for the coming days. We already started with the first activities in the hedgehog-pen. After 3 p.m. the whole delegation from the Agricultural School in Holland came to meet us: 8 students and 2 teachers. In the coming weeks they will perform most necessarily building- & constructing-activities (where we already started with some days ago). And thanks to lots of activities those people had performed in Holland (initiated and stimulated by the already here present Joren) they could hand us a cheque with the value of 905 Euro !! And then there was one of the most ultimate rare moments that the two of us a whole minute weren’t able to say something end even swallowing was difficult . . . . !! As well lots of surgical materials were handed to us, collected by two of the present students, which they had “organized” at a G.P. and a Vet in Holland !!

April 29^th: we were, after almost all out-door-cats were fed, welcomed in the Sick-Bay by three roaming-around kittens and one sauntering mother; something which made measuring and feeding evidently not easy. In spite of that the Long-eared Owl was 273 (=), the Dark Barn Owl 274 (+1), the Goshawk 722 (-5) and the Kestrel 191 (+2) gram. The last one is now (just) in between the norms. With the help of half the Dutch crew we started with the roof of the hedgehog-pen, but had to stop due to rain-fall.

No risk of swine flu in Greece, gov’t says

The government yesterday stressed that there have been no cases of swine flu detected in Greece after the European Environment Commissioner was quoted mentioning Greece in a list of countries “under investigation” for possible outbreaks of the virus.

“There has been not one outbreak in this country,” Health Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos told a press conference. He was reacting to comments by Androula Vassiliou, the Cypriot commissioner for health matters, who was quoted by the BBC and other media as saying that suspected cases of the flu were being investigated in several European countries. She mentioned Greece, as well as Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic and Ireland.

Avramopoulos clarified that six people had visited Greek hospitals of their own volition and been found to be clear of the virus. Two of those examined recently returned from a vacation in Mexico, where the flu broke out and has killed 149 people. The remainder were found to be suffering from a common cold.

The minister added that Greek airports had been put on standby and that special heat sensors had been installed on the premises to detect passengers with unusually high body temperatures. Several hospitals have been supplied with the necessary medicines to treat anyone brought in with symptoms of swine flu.

Speaking to Skai yesterday, Sotiris Tsiodras, an expert on infectious diseases, said there was no cause for alarm in Greece. “Like everywhere else in the world, there is concern but infection from person to person is only occurring in Mexico,” he said.

April 30^th: the Long-eared Owl was 275 (+2), the Dark Barn Owl 275 (+1), the Kestrel 202 (+9) and the Goshawk was 721 (-1) gram. Just like yesterday-morning all out-door cats were present early this morning, except “Little Brother”, but he came several times during the day. The baby-pigeons in the pigeon-cage in “The Keep” are still intact and are growing well. The 2^nd nest in the window-frame in the 2^nd floor of our house has almost full-frown feathers. With the help of half of the Dutch crew we could finish the skeleton of the hedgehog-cage and the fist part of the roof of the cage for terrapins was made as well. And two of them have re-painted the ironwork of the stairs outside going to the cages. Meanwhile a Greek reporter arrived and she did an interview and took pictures because of the international-educations-programme.

Mild quake

An undersea quake measuring 4 on the Richter scale occurred northeast of Alonissos, an island in the Sporades, shortly after 1 a.m. yesterday. There was no damage or injuries.

At 7.50 p.m. there were two new (here in the village) police-officers at our door, who wanted to see the Eagle Owls. And because the police should be “man’s best friend” we have honored their plea. After all one is catching more flies with honey than with vinegar.

Total amount of visitors this month: 086 (total this year: 420)

Kinds of animals who are mentioned like this were for the first time in treatment in the L.W.H. ( N 1).

Amount of kilometers (Animal-Ambulance) for bringing-in/releasing animals this month 079 (total this year 0161 kilometers)

Total amount of intakes this month: 13 [wild ones: 05; others 008], (total this year 042: wild ones 018, others 024; total since the start of registration in 1996: 4089) of which:

COMMON SWIFT (Apus apus): 1 adult from/via Mytiléne. Apparently nothing wrong with this bird and the body-weight of 49 gram was almost the maximum of 50 gram So for a member of this kind absolutely not malnourished and thin. Probably due to hard winds hit the ground and had not been able flying-up. So a.s.a.p. throwing into the air and hoping for the best. (see as well April 4^th& 5^th).

COLLARED DOVE (Streptopelia decacocto): 2; the first was an adult from/via Mytiléne. Closed fracture right humerus. Hanging cast was given. (see as well April 14^th, 16^th & 17^th). The 2^nd was discovered by Anne & Dick in Arísvi. Blood had left via the bill and had a broken wing. The right wing was ripped-off half from the body and there was a fracture of that humerus. Showed to have “taken-off without using the wings” just before our arrival in Arísvi. After plucking of the bird (4/26) we could see another injury high on the thorax, close to the crop > explanation for the blood out of the bill.

CAUCASIAN SQUIRREL (Sciurus anomalus): 1 male from Thérma, ± 5 weeks old. Was discovered together with another one, but that one was dead already. Was quite cold > was warmed-up a bit in Anne’s hands on our way back. Body-weight was 54 gram (much too light; should have been 110 – 130 gram !!). Over here 0,3 cc milk was given and he was placed under the red lamp. Prognosis ??

What won’t surprise anybody is that he had died already before 3.10 p.m.

PUPPY (Canis familiaris): 5 males from our village. Were born today (April 15^th) and thrown-away alive in a dust-bin. After kissed them all, they were put down.

CAT (Felis catus): 1 highly-pregnant from Parákoila: “Torr”. Showed having 5 almost mature kittens “on board” > all was removed. Because of the stitches-allergy in the cats from Parákoila, the belly wasn’t stitched anymore intracutaniously, but with 7 U-stitches. At 8.52 a.m. all was finished and not yet one hour later “madame” was eating already !! She was taken-in till it’s 100% sure everything is OK. (see as well April 22^nd – 24^th).

KESTREL (Falco t. tinnunculus): 1 sub-adult male (is changing the colors); was discovered the evening before intake somewhere outside Sígri. At the first look doesn’t seem to be injured (but one never knows with all those fire-crackers and shooting with Easter). Is in any case much too light (was 152 gram and this should be 190 – 240 gram). So trying to improve the body-weight and thereafter a release at the west-side of the island.

SHE-DOG (Canis familiaris): twice the same one; a ± 4 years old little one from our village, “Béba” (baby). Had returned home most probably poisoned and her young little mistress had tried getting her father sóó far that he should bring her pet over here > daddy’s however was dead drunk and couldn’t stand on his legs. In spite of that he arrived with the little darling by car over here. Couldn’t say his family-name properly due to his situation and his sobbing !! Luckily he succeeded in giving his phone-number . . . . The usual medicines against poisoning were injected and there were some little efforts to vomit, however without results. We heard doggie had vomited already at home. The home-front was informed how te care further, because they were luckily sober !! We heard the soak showed having arrived safe and sound at home with the doggie . . . !! We’ll keep informed. (see as well April 22^nd). The 2^nd time the little one was in an evidently worse condition than the first time > was shimmering like a water-kettle !! Again the usual injections were given. We heard from the (not so drunk now) bearer that by the neighbors poison was dumped in his court-yard and that another doggie hadn’t survived . . . . !! By the way, he tried we should tell his wife the bill was much higher, so he could keep more money for himself > we didn’t agree !! From his wife we heard one hour later that the condition of the doggie was improving.