Happy World Wildlife Day! 🌍🐾 Let's take a moment to appreciate Greece's incredible wildlife and the importance of protecting these amazing creatures. Do you know these 3 of the most beloved wild animals in Greece?
The brown bear is one of Greece's most magnificent animals, with a population estimated to be around 150 in the mountain ranges of Pindos and the Rhodope Mountains. These furry creatures prefer a diet of wild fruits, roots, mushrooms, and honey, and are known for their excellent climbing skills. Brown bears are mostly solitary animals and move around at dawn and night. They are so cool that they inspired the character Baloo from the Jungle Book! 🐻
The red deer is another fascinating animal found in Greece, and the largest herbivore in the country. These majestic animals are found in Rodopi and Parnitha, with the largest population in Parnitha where there are more than 500 individuals. The name "red" is due to their reddish-brown color and they feed mainly on poa, young branches of shrubs and trees, fruits, nuts, and mushrooms. 🦌
The Caretta-Caretta, or loggerhead sea turtle, is another incredible animal found in Greece. These gentle creatures feed on marine plants and invertebrates, mainly jellyfish. They have lungs, which means they come out of the sea to breathe and give birth on the beach. Unfortunately, the loggerhead sea turtle is threatened by habitat degradation, pollution, and plastic bags. 🐢
Let's celebrate Greece's incredible wildlife on this World Wildlife Day and renew our commitment to protecting them for future generations to enjoy! 🎉