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One photo has made the rounds in Greece—it captures a man on a motorbike evacuating a sheep as forest fires approach. The scene took place last week in Patras, a Greek port city in the grip of flames.
Fires have a significant impact on wildlife, leading to increased mortality and injuries. They also cause displacement of animals, loss of habitat, pollution, and disruption of ecosystems. The situation is prompting residents and groups to act in the aid of affected flocks and wild and domestic animals.
In the Greek town of Patras, one association has come to the aid of the animals, offering them shelter and veterinary care.
“Some turtles have suffered burns and now need treatment. So we’ve helped move these animals, move them to where they can get treatment and be reclaimed in a sanctuary,” Noah Horton, director of growth at Greater Good Charities, tells Euronews.
Other charities have also taken in dogs and cats threatened by the fires until permanent homes can be found for them.
The issue is also economic. According to the Greater Good Charities, many beehives were lost in the fire, necessitating the planting of new colonies of bees to support the recovery of beekeeping.
“Many beekeepers and apiaries have been affected by these fires. Hives have been burnt, lost, and destroyed. It’s people’s livelihood, and it’s also impacting things like honey production,” according to Horton.
“The bees are in trouble because the forage plants they eat have also burned down,” he adds.
In 2022, 43% of the areas burnt in the EU were Natura 2000 natural protected areas, reservoirs of biodiversity.