A younger endangered monk seal who grew to become the mascot of a Greek island in a marine protected space after surviving a cyclone and endearing himself to locals has been killed, sparking an uproar.
Kostis, who was named after the fisherman who saved him as Cyclone Zorbas lashed the Aegean Sea in 2018, was “deliberately killed” off the coast of Alonissos island, the MOm NGO for the safety of the Mediterranean monk seal mentioned Saturday.
The island is a part of the Alonissos and Northern Sporades marine park, Greece’s first such park the place sea life is protected by regulation.
It is the most important such protected space in Europe, based on the marine park‘s web site.
“The innocent and unaware seal was executed at close range with a spear gun that had a large spear for exactly that purpose,” MOm mentioned in a Facebook publish.
According to the group, Mediterranean monk seals are endangered, and nearly half of the remaining inhabitants lives in Greece.
The group had taken Kostis underneath its wing after his rescue, shifting him to a primary support centre earlier than returning him to his pure surroundings within the Aegean Sea.
But Kostis proved to be very sociable and was usually seen mendacity on boats within the port of Alonissos island, posing for photographs.
News of his dying brought about an uproar, with many individuals taking to social media.
“We don’t deserve this planet. We spoil all beauty,” one Facebook person mentioned.
The Athens News Agency reported there’s a mobilisation to find the perpetrator.
© 2021 AFP
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Uproar in Greece as mascot seal killed in protected space (2021, July 25)
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