The “Anima” wildlife protection and welfare association is currently hosting a very “special guest” at its facilities in Athens, an albino golden eagle.
The rare and endangered bird of prey was discovered earlier in October in Mesologi after a storm. A volunteer of the local ornithological and lagoon management body handed the bird over for treatment.
According to the Anima president Maria Ganoti, the bird is particularly and has intrigued scientists world-wide. The albino eagle may soon have visitors from the USA, as many Native American tribes consider the bird to be a holy animal.
Up to the 1960s the golden eagle was a common sight throughout the mountainous regions of Greece and many islands. These days however, sightings are restricted in some areas of Thrace and Macedonia, the Pindos mountain range, a few areas in Peloponnesus and Evia and rarely in Crete and Syros.
In the 1980s there were an estimated 150 to 200 pairs of golden eagles in Greece, which dropped to 100-150 pairs in 2004. The golden eagles generally nest at high altitude, of 800 to 2,000 meters. They primarily feed on smaller birds, mammals and reptiles, while in the winter months they also scavenge.
The main threats that the majestic birds face are poaching, the illegal use of poison-laced bait and the degradation of their natural habitat.
