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Battle to save animals in Porto Germeno as wildfires rage; 62 animals now safe
🇬🇷 Greece /Disasters & Emergencies

Battle to save animals in Porto Germeno as wildfires rage; 62 animals now safe

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Emergency services and animal welfare groups rescued 62 animals, including companion animals and farm animals, from wildfires in Porto Germeno, Prosylo, and Agios Nektarios, Greece.
  • A temporary animal reception station was established in Vilia to shelter rescued animals, provide care, and facilitate owner identification, with ongoing efforts to save animals still trapped by the flames.
  • Despite successful rescues, the fire remains dangerous, and the Vilia station is on high alert for potential new arrivals as the national animal protection mechanism remains activated.

In the midst of battling a devastating wildfire, a parallel rescue operation unfolded in Greece to save animals trapped by the flames. Emergency services and animal welfare organizations worked tirelessly to evacuate dozens of animals from the affected areas of Porto Germeno, Prosylo, and Agios Nektarios.

Dogs’ Voice, an animal welfare group, reported that by July 31, a total of 62 animals had been rescued. This included 46 companion animals housed at a temporary station in Vilia, nine moved to a municipal facility, and seven farm animals, comprising two geese and five chickens. The temporary station, a collaboration between the Municipality of Mandra-Eidyllia and the "Adespotes Psyches Mandras" animal welfare association, served as a crucial reception point.

we have already collected a total of 62 animals.

— Dogs’ VoiceProviding an update on the number of animals rescued from the wildfires.

However, the situation on the ground remained perilous. Dogs’ Voice noted that many animals, panicked by the fire, ran into the flames and smoke, making them impossible to retrieve. Rescue teams and firefighters had to withdraw from certain areas due to safety concerns caused by continuous flare-ups and the fire's intensity.

The temporary station in Vilia continued to operate with heightened readiness, sheltering both stray and owned animals evacuated as a precaution. These animals are receiving care and will remain there for at least two days for identification and reunification processes. The National Mechanism for Animal Protection in Natural Disasters remains active, coordinating efforts through the General Secretariat for the Protection of Companion Animals, with support from volunteers, associations, and transport services.

several animals continued to run in panic through the flames and smoke, without being able to be collected.

— Dogs’ VoiceDescribing the dangerous conditions faced by animals and rescuers.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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