December 2006

LOG-BOOK:

December 1^st:  Sparrowhawk I was 156 gram this morning > is going to be fed less in the hope he will start eating on his own. We discovered another shot-hole in the breast of Sparrowhawk II (but our fingers were severe penetrated afterwards !). At 10.40 a.m. the Tom-cat “Silver” arrived from Palaiochóri for “de-fathering” > see further by TOM-CAT. At 12.15 o’clock the separation-wall in the owl-cage had its netting; no only the finishing touches. We could remove by the Turkey 4 cc from the right, and 5 cc from the left sinus. This time the slime was clear > so the situation is improving. At 4.35 a phone-call from Pétra, that over there a Parrot was sitting high in a tree: if we couldn’t . . . . ?? So no; but we were able to give advices how to tempt the bird. Late in the evening arrived Gonda ten Wolde, who is coming to assist us for a couple of days. As well she wants to know (and see) if we’re treating her little “foundling” (the kitten “Gonda” > 06-196B; September 22^nd ’06) well enough.

December 2^nd:  the baby Marginated Tortoise was 27 gram this morning. The White Barn Owl (06-132; July 12^th ’06) was ringed this morning as a preparation for transfer to the Barn Owl-cage in “The Keep”. The disabled Little Owl with the leg-problems (06-241; November 25^th ’06) is back to the Little Owl-aviary in “The Keep” (for as long as it lasts). Sparrowhawk I (06-240; November 24^th ’06) was transferred to the cage in the House-next-door, awaiting for the time of release (after 3 months from now). We hope the other Sparrowhawk will show him where and how to eat: now it’s “luctor et emergo” or “non luctor et submergo”. At 11.10 a.m. the Short-eared Owl was transferred to the new aviary, after we first had placed a rush-mat against the netting, a high roost fixed and a feeding-table was fastened.

The White Barn Owl followed 5 minutes later. Checking the wing of the Peregrine, it showed to be that there was quite a huge gangrene > so we had to amputate. Assistance was given with intervals by Melanie, Jeroen and Ineke. At 4.15 p.m. a phone-call from Parákoila that the cat we had “de-mothered” November the 27^th, now was walking with an “open belly” > they’ll pass-by. We could remove by the Turkey right 5 cc and left 9 cc clear slime. At 4.45 p.m. the cat was here > was chased seriously yesterday by some “pestiferous lad” and jumped in a wrong way > intra cutanious stitch had given-up > under a total anesthetic stitched again with 6 normal stitches. Because of the circumstances 6 days antibiotics.

December 3^rd:  the Peregrine had a good night after the amputation; he is even standing again on two legs. The baby Marginated Tortoise was 28 gram this morning. The 2 “terrarium-colleagues” were 163 and 203 gram, and thus the smaller of the two is diminishing because the last time we measured (November 17^th) it was 166 gram. So observation. More than 1 hour after the agreed time the announced visitors arrived: 6 people from Pétra; a Dutch couple and a Greek family. We could remove again 5 cc from the right sinus and 6 cc from the left sinus of the Turkey. The two days ago arrived Gonda has since her arrival over here the whole e-mail-address book (and that was more than 550 names and addresses !!) filed again by hand in the computer, after this whole address-book had disappeared !! So homage to her !! However, we’re still missing addresses !!

December 4^th:  the baby Marginated Tortoise had again gained 1 gram and was now 29 gram. The smaller of the two Spurr-tighed Tortoises was this morning 165 gram. We could remove the hanging cast from the wing of the Pigeon with the shoulder-fracture (06-243; November 27^th ’06). There is a little dislocation, but maybe this will improve. Will be transferred to the pigeon cage in “The Keep” tomorrow for flying-practice. The right eye however is definitively “gone”.

Today we prepared the Ambulance-car for the “lodging” of the “rescue-set” we received > especially the extending pole of the net (= as well stretcher poles) gave some problems to store. Now we have standard on the car: 1 small rescue-net (pole 1 meter) & 1 big rescue net (pole 2,4 meter), stretcher, 1 cage for small birds, 2 cages for medium birds/animals, 1 cage for very huge birds/animals (collapsible), 2 bags for transporting swans/pelicans, 40 meter rope (mountaineers-rope), 1 ground-peg for anchoring the rope, 2 first-aid-bags and 2 pair of thick leather hooded-gloves > what do we want more ?? And we can complete this with 3 walkie-talkies.

We could remove by the Turkey on both sides 7,5 cc of slime. 

December 5^th:  the baby Marginated Tortoise hadn’t gained weight since yesterday, but the two terrarium-colleagues were 167 and 206 gram. The Pigeon with the shoulder-fracture (see yesterday) is transferred to the pigeon-cage in “The Keep”. At 8.57 a.m. a phone-call from an old, disabled woman from our village, who crying told us that her doggie had grown-in nails and that it was severe bleeding. Agreed that she should call back half an hour later, because at that moment the car wasn’t here. At 9.45 a.m. they phoned from the shelter in Skála Eressoú that one of the dogs we had neutered November 15^th , now  had a bleeding from the scrotum > because it should bleed heavily, they’ll pass-by. Meanwhile the old lady phoned again and we went to see her and her doggie > doggie had been here in the past (but by that time the woman was still capable to walk) with the same problems > both thumb-nails from the rear-legs were clipped. Not in the statistics. In the Intensive Care we made,  connected and put in operation the charging-station for the walkie-talkies (it was the only free space with a wall-socket). At 10.45 a.m. the dog (06-232B) was here and indeed: was bleeding like a pig. Under total-anesthetics we could stop the venous bleeding (dog had himself removed some stitches and doing so, a blood-vessel-stitch was pulled through the blood-vessel). At 1.15 p.m. a phone-call from Parákoila about the cat we had to re-stitch the 2^nd (see over there). All stitches were gone > one will pass-by after the siesta. And the cat was here at 3.35 p.m. > see further by CAT. In the evening, without any warning, there was a power-cut that lasted for three quarters of an hour !! And because of all panic-situations of today we have cancelled the planned surgeries for tomorrow (1 sterilization and 2 castrations): we but as well the “crew” of the Shelter in Skála Eressoú had our share today.

December 6^th:  it was early this morning, because Gonda had to take the plane back to Holland and the taxi was over here already at 5.25 a.m.. We could remove the hanging cast of the female Sparrowhawk > now let’s have a look how she is going to use the wing. We discovered in the cage of the Little Owls in “The Keep” the Little Owl with the leg-problems, we transferred back to there December 2^nd , complete lethargic on the ground > taken back. We only fear this is the beginning of the end. After we removed the day before yesterday for the last time through a puncture slime from the sinus’ of the Turkey, today we could “only” remove 4 cc from the right, and as well “only” 5,5 cc from the left sinus.

December 7^th:  the yesterday taken-back Little Owl was for a wonder still alive this morning and even had eaten !! During the bandage-changing of the injury of the re-stitched cat she suddenly grew soo wild, that she bit & scratched us into pieces !! Could even penetrate thick leather gloves !! At last under a complete anesthetic we were able to finish the job: the injury is closing nicely. Dermisol-cream was used as well. The Sparrowhawk we gave a red foot-ring and transferred her to the cage in the House-next-door. At a check just after 10 a.m. she was already sitting in top of the cage > so a good sign. Now only eating on her own. The amputation-injury of the Peregrine is healing well; today we could remove the agrafes. The White Barn Owl, we transferred the 2^nd to “The Keep” is eating in any case on his own > had gained weight quite well in two days. After a visit to the dentist, the car couldn’t be brought to life again > is now in the garage and so we can’t turn out. At 3.50 p.m. a phone-call from Polichnítos about an (injured ??) Greater Flamingo, which should stand in the sea in Vaterá. Because this report was quite a bit “vague”, and because we haven’t a car on this moment, we made a phone-call to the vet Stávros Giannákas, who has several times a week consulting-hours in Vaterá. He should keep an open eye and should take action if necessary.  

December 8^th:  the baby Marginated Tortoise was 31 gram this morning. We discovered at 7 a.m. dead in the cage in the House-next-door the juvenile male Sparrowhawk (06-240; November 24^th ’06), transferred to there December 2^nd ’06. Body-weight was only 103 gram, so had diminished in 6 days more than 50 gram > hadn’t eaten at all. At 5.55 p.m. a phone-call from Kalloní about a little male kitten with a leg-injury > see further over there. While we were busy with the kitten, an urgent phone-call came from ??? that someone had 3 stray dogs and that we must come to collect them > told that we don’t “must” anything and the phone-numbers of the Animal-lovers Society were given, with the information that neither they “must” as well !!

December 9^th:  knowing better after the day before yesterday, we changed the bandage of the re-stitched cat under a (otherwise light) complete anesthetic. As well we could remove 6 surgical staples. The injury is only still not closed at one part and is running a little bit. Because we couldn’t do anything else without a car, started with making old bricks free of cement > we were able to do so with 56. Just ready with that, friends of us from Polichnítos came low-flying around the corner with a dog: should be hit by a car and was discovered in Kalloní. See further by BITCH. At the end of the afternoon we removed by the Turkey (after 3 days) by puncture: right sinus 5 cc and left sinus 9 cc. At 4.45 p.m. Násja came with a budgerigar we had to trim (once again) the bill. And at 4.49 p.m. a phone-call from Mória about a Pigeon with a wing-fracture. As good as possible advices were given, because in the coming days no-one of us is going in that direction and in that village (4 km from Mytiléne) there seems to be no-one who has the possibility to put the bird in Mytiléne on the coach.

December 10^th:  the baby Marginated Tortoise was 32 gram this morning. At 8.30 a.m. we removed the Scop’s Owls from their aviary and started to remove the sealing-netting. Hereafter the whole connection to the undulated roof parts was, together with Jeroen, closed with bricks and cement. We went as well to the rubbish-dump to gather some old bricks. Meanwhile Melanie started with cleaning some special cages in the Sick Bay > the bottom of the cage of the Golden Oriole was one huge maggot-nursery > the Hoopoe enjoyed this afterwards. The Scop’s Owls were back in their cage at 1.25 p.m. In the afternoon we discovered that those shit-rats again had destroyed an electricity-cable > tomorrow we’ll try to fix this.

December 11^th:  we removed by the cat (with the help of one of the care-takers and without an anesthetic) the last two surgical staples. The injury is only treated now with Dermisol-cream. Further the whole day busy in “The Keep” with the electricity-system over there: removing the fuse-box from the wall, the electricity-cables pulling through a thick plastic pipe, connecting again and closing everything with cement and bricks.

December 12^th:  yesterday-evening it started raining and it still did so this morning > our doggies didn’t want to go out for a “sanitary stop” !! The disabled Jackdaws and the Rook received their food in their sleeping-cages, because they have to stay indoors. The baby Marginated Tortoise was 33 gram early this morning. We had to do a puncture this morning by the Turkey, because both sinus’ were very swollen: right sinus 7.5 cc and left sinus 11 cc !! As the last possible remedy we started with humane antibiotics. Further the whole morning worked on the electrical system in “The Keep”: this was ready at 11.30 a.m.

December 13^th:  we removed the corset and 2 stitches by the cat > if everything is going like it’s doing now, she can leave next Saturday. At almost a quarter past eight the two cats (we had cancelled the 6^th ) from the shelter in Skála Eressoú arrived over here > see further by TOM-CAT and by CAT. After breakfast Douglas came and offered his assistance > he cleaned all the bricks we had gathered the 10^th on the rubbish-dump. From the cage of the Little Owls the wall above the air-conditioning is now completely closed with bricks till the undulated roof-parts. After siesta we removed by the Turkey 77 cc (right side) and 10 cc (left side).

December 14^th:  the baby Marginated Tortoise was 34 gram this morning. We are trying to pick-up today the, announced December 9^th, injured Pigeon. At 9.45 a.m. a phone-call from Athens from a certain Monika (is living in the summer in Plomári and has send to us this year two tortoises, under which a (06-146; July 21^st) Testudo hermanni) > she is cooperating in Athens with a rescue-center for animals and over there they have a female tortoise. Was bitten in the past by a dog in the legs; injuries were healed meanwhile. The creature (18 cm !!) however hadn’t eaten for at least 2 months and showed to be quite emaciated. After heard our advices she had decided to send us the tortoise. So wait and see, because the delivery of the tortoises in July took as well several weeks !! The wall above the door of the cage of the Little Owls is closed now till the undulated roof-parts with a double row of bricks > we had to cut away lots of “bites” due to the shape of the undulated roof-parts. We received a phone-call from Mória that the Pigeon was picked-up at 11.16 a.m. > see further by PIGEON. The Pigeon with the broken shoulder (06-243; November 27^th ’06) went at 1.45 p.m. as an invalid back to the 2 owners (some “brats” of 8-9 years old). By the Turkey was removed 7 cc from the right- and 8 cc from the left sinus.

December 15^th:  due to a visit to the dentist, only some 2^nd-hand bricks could be gathered. Doing so, we were “disturbed” by Douglas & Janice who were on their way to us with an injured doggie > see further by BITCH. Meanwhile 1 Greek visitor from Mytiléne. The re-stitched cat went back to the care-takers. At 12.25 o’clock the owners of the injured doggie came to see their pet > told what was wrong, what we had done and where the doggie was now. After the siesta we removed from both sinus’ of the Turkey 8 cc.

December 16^th:  the baby Marginated Tortoise was 35 gram this morning. Today we’ll try to “close” the Little Owl-aviary completely, so the inhabitants can go back to their own place against nightfall. And the 5 present inhabitants were at 6.30 a.m. temporarily transferred to the Sick Bay. We discovered at 6.40 a.m. in the cage in the House-next-door the female Sparrowhawk (06-244; November 29^th ’06). Body-weight was only 176 gram (244 gram at intake) > so hadn’t eaten at all . . . !! We started early with the removal of the sealing-netting in the cage of the Little Owls. Jeroen came to assist and that was quite well, because at 8.43 a.m. a phone-call came from Pérama about an injured Buzzard, discovered yesterday over there > picked-up. See further by BUZZARD. Around 1 p.m. the cage was almost tight; the last part will be done tomorrow ( we closed that hole as a “quickie” at last at 4.30 p.m.). Melanie has taken over the cleaning of the cages, so we were able to do other things. In the afternoon we could remove 8 cc from the right sinus and 9 cc from the left sinus by the Turkey.

December 17^th:  did the Buzzard yesterday came-in with 499 gram, this morning the weight had gained already till 535 gram. Meanwhile he/she is self-eating. At 10.10 a.m. the nest-tower in the cage of the Little Owls was placed on the new spot, after first a brick floor was laid. Hereafter continued with finishing touches, building niches etc. etc. At 10.45 a.m. the Turkey was taken back by his owner > we told him that the situation hadn’t improved, and that he should wait at least one month before slaughtering. At 12.10 o’clock the new cement floor in the cage of the Little Owls was ready > so they can go back tonight. We received 2 visitors from our village today: the garagist and his wife. He came to have a look how to remove the old second-hand car that’s still here. And such happened at about 2.15 p.m. After the siesta raced and the 5 Little Owls were back in their renewed cage at 4.05 p.m.

December 18^th:  the Buzzard had gained yesterday 76 gram and was this morning 611 gram. The baby Marginated Tortoise hadn’t gained measurably and was still 35 gram. Both terrarium-colleagues were 173 and 228 gram. We transferred again the disabled Little Owl (see December 2^nd & 6^th) to the Little Owl-cage in “The Keep”. At 8.50 a.m. all 7 Pigeons were transferred to another cage (temporarily) in the Sick Bay. Hereafter started with removing the sealing-netting in their cage (such with a loaded air-gun within reach, because there were many huge fat rats over there !!). This was ready at 10.50 a.m. Meanwhile at 10.25 a.m. a phone-call from Pigadákia from a man who had seen over there a Grey Heron, injured on a wing > he will go again and have a look if the bird is still there and report to us afterwards. At 2.10 p.m. the expected phone-call came: bird was still there > so we went for a ride and picked-up the bird. See further by GREY HERON.

December 19^th: the Buzzard was 669 gram this morning and the baby Marginated Tortoise was 37 gram. The Grey Heron had a good first night over here and is digesting well the given food. After we had frightened yesterday the rat-population in “The Keep”, our “out-door-cat” Foúrno supported us today in our efforts and diminished the W.R.P. with 2 heads; indeed small ones, but who doesn’t honor the small way . . . . !! We have discovered that by the Pigeon (06-249; December 14^th ’06) the wing isn’t so “dead” as we had thought > due to clogged blood and feathers however it’s difficult to see. At 11.30 a.m. we had closed about 33% of the pigeon-cage; including 2 roosts in the wall. However, we had to buy first a new angle grinder, because the old one was dead and remained so.

December 20^th:  the Buzzard was 692 gram and the baby Marginated Tortoise was 38 gram. We had to feed the Grey Heron with smaller fishes, because he/she had with the bigger ones evidently problems > those were all vomited after some hours. We changed the bandage around the amputated wing: didn’t smell badly, so a good omen. At 9.30 a.m. the longest wall in the pigeon cage was closed ; as well some roosts were improved. After we removed the nest-tower, we discovered an immense rat-hole in the wall behind the tower > with quite a lot of troubles we could fill this hole. In the same wall there is a mouse-hole as well > this will be closed tomorrow. We started very, very carefully with the removal of a stone-hard “blood-clog-with-feathers” from the wing of the Pigeon > is almost undoable to see something.

December 21^st:  the Buzzard was 704 gram. His hanging cast was removed this morning > now observation of the use of the wing. As well the hanging cast of the Pigeon was removed > the position of the wing seems to we ok; however the function ?? At 12.30 0’clock 95% of the pigeon-cage was done; including the filling of rat- & mouse-holes. We had to remove 2 buckets full of sand that was digged-out by those rodents making holes !! And “Foúrno” assisted us with lots of pleasure by coming home with a (still alive) young rat > killed and transformed into owl-fodder.

December 22^nd:  the baby Marginated Tortoise was 39 gram. The Buzzard was 702 gram, so is (for a male) according to standards > has received a colored ring in preparation for transfer to the aviary outside. And that happened at 7.50 a.m. At 9 a.m. the pigeon-cage was tight and we could start with the cleaning-up. As first inhabitant the Pigeon (06-249; December 14^th ’06) was transferred at 9.30 a.m. The other Pigeons were all back on the old home at 9.40 a.m. The Grey Heron showed at the 2^nd feeding-round having vomited all the given food of the 1^st feeding-round. After a (carefully) feeding-round he/she was sitting quietly on our lap and suddenly the head fell down and wasn’t present any more amongst the quick ! A P.M. will be done later. At 11.15 a.m. a phone-call from Préveza (close to Kérkira (Corfu); only on the main-land) about the care-taking (= feeding) of a discovered Barn Owl  > advices were given. After we had to rescue this morning the White Barn Owl (06-203; October 6^th ’06) out of the water-bowl in the cage (he himself couldn’t get out any more), he was against the evening still soo wet, that we have caught him and lodged in the Intensive Care to become warmer and dryer.

December 23^rd:  the baby Marginated Tortoise was 40 gram and both terrarium-colleagues were 177 and 238 gram. The weather-forecast for December 26^th & 27^th is predicting temperatures till – 5 Centigrade with chances for precipitation > so nice days to come !! We performed a P.M. on the Grey Heron > see over there. Even before 11 a.m. Jeroen had closed the last part of the Owl-cage. So we can say that this is “done” before the end of the year. Only the floor still must be done. In the cage of the Scop’s Owls some pieces of barked wood were placed as cage-enrichment (came from the cage of the Little Owls). Round about 12.30 we could diminish the W.R.P. against with one: a huge, fat rat came walking into “The Keep” as calm as a cucumber, looking for food. Warned by a somewhat “flabbergasted” Jeroen, we could with two .22 pellets and once hard stamp with the foot make an end to this “much promising existence”. The carcass will be after some days for the Dog-fox; however he has at this moment still “more than a mouthful “ with the Heron. Around midday we discovered in our court-yard 2 boxes with (all together) 6 bottles of renowned wine. Later it showed to be from the grateful owners of the poisoned dog from Petrí (see November 17^th), which had phoned us for that dog in the midst of the night. Dog has recuperated. At 8.07 p.m. a phone-call from a villager from here that he had seen on the road from the Shell-Petrol-Station to our village a knocked-down Fox > with the blue light on top turned out in a black night. On the spot some blood was discovered on the road and a huge pee, but the fox had disappeared. Looking for him, we could discover in the verge in the weeds the place where he had tried to find a shelter.

December 24^th:   at 6.05 a.m. we were brought to notice by “Foúrno” that a fat rat was climbing the netting of the buzzard-aviary > in view of the darkness we could only hit him > we’ll find him/her later !! We could place back the White Barn Owl (see December 22^nd) in the barn owl-cage in “The Keep”. The whole day busy with the “ANNUAL REPORT 2006”. (the following piece of text is strictly spoken only meant for all those who worked here and/or were a trainee (because they know her), but we won’t keep it away from the other readers) In the evening we were told that our Greek little friend “Násja” (14-15 years old) should be pregnant. About the father-to-be (deep in his thirties !!) there was spoken in praising words: “has heaps of money, lots of sheep and goats, lots of olive-trees” . . . . !! Poor child, who is walking around in the village, “covered with gold” if she has “invented that trick” !! 

December 25^th:  the whole morning busy with the “Annual Report 2006” in as well English as in Dutch > this is ready now till the last (still coming) data, like financial, intakes and kilometers. Meanwhile “Násja” came here and could proudly confirm the yesterday heard story . . . . !!

December 26^th:  we discovered at 6 a.m. our Golden Oriole (06-206; October 9^th ’06) very lethargic on the bottom of the cage > so no good omen. Was discovered dead, laying on its back, at 7.40 a.m.  Busy with writing a deposition for the Court in Mytiléne about the liberation of the Dog Fox-cub in July ’06 > tomorrow one of has to go to Mytiléne for this.

December 27^th:  the baby Marginated Tortoise was 41 gram this morning. Departed at 9.15 a.m., alongside with ice covered pools, ditches and rivers, for the Dasarcheío ( “Forest Patrol”) in Mytiléne to give a statement. Thát gave a great deal of trouble, because that there exist people who don’t want to swear an oath on the Bible hasn’t yet dawned in this EU-member state !! While we were busy with this, a phone-call came in on base from Pérama where a Buzzard should be with “something wrong with its wing” > so during the making of the statement we were disturbed for writing down the data > hereafter we went to Pérama and picked-up the bird. See further by BUZZARD. We received a phone-call from the Shelter in Skála Eressoú about a stray cat with a tail, that probably (partly or completely) should be amputated > when they succeed in catching the cat, they’ll pass by.

December 28^th:  it’s soo cold, that our out-door-cat “Foúrno” has found a refuge in the Sick Bay: it’s 12 Centigrade over there. She is squatting an empty cage and is only now and then coming out. In “The Keep” it’s plus 2 Centigrade. The water bowls in the cages outside had quite a good layer of ice this morning and before we could use the car, we first had to remove a thick layer of ice from all windows. With the coach from 11 o’clock from Mytiléne arrived 52 kilo of food > price 5 Euro for the coach and 1,75 Euro for our petrol >  for that price we can’t go and buy it ourselves over there !!

You remember: Hippocrates started in Greece ?? Look what was on the Internet

HIV scare  (Ekathimerini News)

The management of the Social Security Foundation (IKA) yesterday ordered an investigation into how a young woman from the island of Lesvos was wrongly diagnosed with HIV, the virus that can lead to AIDS. The unnamed woman had undergone a routine blood test at her local hospital. The sample was then sent to an IKA laboratory in Athens, officials said.

December 29^th:  thick ice on all water-bowls this morning. “Foúrno” had spend again the night in the Sick-Bay, while even her (still wild) brother had found a refuge in the marten-nest op top of the central-heating-oven. Our volunteer Melanie, who wanted to come from Pétra to help us and who was expected here around 8 a.m., was crossed in her efforts by a) a bus-driver who had overslept himself and b) a traffic-accident on the extremely slippery and winding road in between Pétra and Kalloní, through which (temporarily) no traffic was possible. One hour and a half later she at last arrived !!

December 30^th:  the baby Marginated Tortoise was 42 gram this morning. From the Internet:

Climate changing already

Top scientist says impact of global warming is now being felt in Greece

One of Greece’s top environmental scientists has warned that the country has to deal with a series of serious problems caused by global climate change which has already begun to have an impact on the environment. Christos Zerefos, the president of the Athens Observatory, told Kathimerini that changing temperatures and an increasing lack of water are two of the key difficulties that Greece will have to contend with.                                                                                                                                                     “The last three months have undoubtedly been especially warm and dry,” said Zerefos. “The rate at which the temperature is increasing and the water cycle is being upset is the highest that we have experienced.” The scientist said the fact that farmers on the Thessaly Plain have to keep drilling deeper into the ground to find water is a sign of things to come. The quality of water could also be affected by climate change as the concentration of pollutants will become higher as water becomes more scarce. Zerefos has prepared a report on how climate change will affect Greece in the future. He presented the study to Parliament earlier this year.                                                                                                                                                                                                “The first set of effects will be felt by agriculture, which will be hurt significantly,” the professor said, highlighting problems such as a drop in the water table. Zerefos also said that Greece’s changing climate will make forest fires more likely. “More dry and hot days, more frequent heat waves, strong wind – all these may lead to an explosive increase in the number of forest fires,” he said.                                                                                                                                                                                                              Zerefos spoke to Kathimerini ahead of the publication of research which he was involved in that establishes a link between rainfall in the Mediterranean and atmospheric pressure over the Atlantic. The study suggests that the changes over the Atlantic Ocean are driving more rain toward central and northern Europe and less toward the Mediterranean.                           Zerefos said that more must be done in Greece to educate the public and make use of natural energy sources.

After the siesta it suddenly showed to be we were without water: we don’t know why, because nothing was announced, and neither we know how long it will last. That there should be a link between the article above, seems even to us quite quick . . . . !! And water was restored at 6.30 p.m.; for how long ?? At 10.38 p.m. a phone-call from Ánaxos about a shot (stray ?) doggie that was bleeding. Told we could only do something if the creature was brought over here and that we couldn’t keep it. A phone-number of a vet in his neighborhood the guy didn’t want to have anymore . . . . had probably already done enough.

December 31^st:  the baby Marginated Tortoise was 43 gram this morning. Except for the data of today, we’re ready with the “Annual Report 2006” in English & in Dutch. The Greek version is “under construction”.

Total amount of visitors this month:  009                      (total this year: 649)

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

Amount of kilometers (Animal-Ambulance) for bringing-in/releasing animals this month 340 (total this year 3868 kilometers)

Total amount of intakes this month: 11 [wild ones: 04; others 07], (total this year 300 > : wild ones 161, others 139; total since the start of registration in 1996: 3543),  of which:

TOM-CAT (Felis catus): 2; the first came from Paleochóri; “Silver” > was almost 2 years ago, after being thrown-away alive as a little kitten, brought-up by hand by a Dutch woman > he wished now to give his contribution to “natural food” for birds of prey > we fulfilled this wish. Assistance was given by his care-taker. The 2^nd came from the shelter in Skála Eressoú > here as well the crown-jewels were removed.

CAT (Felis catus): 2; the first came from Parákoila > (see as well December 2^nd & 5^th) under a complete anesthetic we had to perform a huge wound-toilet, stitch again and “safety first” the injury was closed as well with several surgical staples. The cat was taken-in, received a “corset” and will have for at least one week antibiotics/injection. (see as well December 7^th !!). Went back home the 15^th. The 2^nd came from the Shelter in Skála Eressoú > we took away from her the joy of a future motherhood for ever.

KITTEN (Felis catus): 1 deaf, white male from Kalloní > had been injured on the right rear-leg and after that disappeared for a fortnight. Had as well now digestion-problems. Rear-leg had a fracture of the femur and that had not healed properly (dislocation). Had as well a high broncho-pneumonia. Antibiotics were given for the last “fault”, advices for the digestion were given and there was told about the recuperation of the rear-leg.

BITCH (Canis familiaris): 2; the first was a quite young specimen (had never given birth) from Kalloní > was discovered over there in the streets by friends of us from Polichnítos. Came-in with the message she should be hit by a car > however was poisoned. Atropine & Apomorfine were injected, but without any result. Atropine was even repeated once, but no vomiting. Pupils were wide-open and reacted hardly to light-stimulus’. Pain-stimulus’ were disappearing as well slowly. In concert with the discoverers decided to put her down. She will be buried in a little Eucalyptus-forest in Achladerí, for which they borrowed tools from us. The 2^nd came from Kalloní as well and was hit by a car (??) > huge skin-injury left knee, but what was worse: the whole joint inside was dislocated. Injury stitched under a complete-anesthetic. Dog has an owner and Douglas & Janice are trying to bring the dog home again. Meanwhile the owners have visited us.

PIGEON (Columba livia dom.): 1 from Mória; was “delivered” already the 9^th to Tonia, but could only be picked-up the 14^th. Severe injury of the left wing > seems to be dead from the pulse. Observation. (see as well December 19^th & 22^nd)

BUZZARD (Buteo buteo): 2; the first was an adult from Pérama; could fly a bit, but not well enough. Had old fracture right wing (shot ??!!), which hadn’t healed correctly. Was quite thin. First try to keep him alive.

At the 2^nd feeding-round it showed to be the bird was shot indeed: e.g. through the nose > here a lot of clogged blood was removed. One pellet was removed from the right flank. After the siesta another pellet was removed: from the left side of the thorax. And during the last feeding-round of the day of intake a in- & out-shot-hole was discovered in the right wing, close to the pulse; over here tendon-tissue seems to be damaged. (see as well December 22^nd) The 2^nd came from the same village and was discovered under nets (probably olive-nets). Was quite emaciated (how long all together without food ??) and very lethargic. Very, very carefully we’re going to try to give the bird again some “appetite-to-live”, Isn’t injured and the determination of the sex should be done in Holland: the measurements are just in between.

Discovered dead the same afternoon before 3 o’clock. From Holland we received the message that indeed the bird was female; just as our first impression was.

GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea): 1 juvenile in 1^st winter-dress (again) from Pigadákia > was walking in the waves with such a fractured wing, that there was only a skin-connection left. Was taken out of the water by the discoverer. Back at base it showed that there was as well a triple complete torsion of the wing (upper-arm) and due to that there was no blood-circulation anymore in the wing > we had to amputate.

(see as well December 22^nd).

One day after the decease we performed a P.M.  A) the bird wasn’t shot, because no pellet-holes were discovered. B) there was an immense injury under the skin (not visible from the outside) on the left side close to the Os Furca and the Os Coracoid; this injury didn’t enter the thorax. C) the bird had built quite a good reserve of abdominal fat for the winter. D) liver, gall-bladder, stomach and intestines were in good condition and, as far as possible, well filled. E) in the Pericard there was quite a huge amount of free blood, while the right Vena Pulmonale was complete without blood; the left was normally filled. Cause of death: a bursted aneurysma.