Kategorie: Zoological Research
Northern Sporades – how it all began
During a birding excursion to the English Gardens of Munich, in 1947 I had the privilege to meet Dr. Philipp Lehrs. I was just ten years old, thrilled by the opportunity to learn „live“ more about animals.. Dr. Lehrs was a distinguished, free-working herpetologist. He recognized my keen interest and over several years introduced me…
Skantzoura – the elusive monastery
From the white marble sculptures of the Skantzoura coast some scant indication of a trail leads inland through juniper woodlands and olive groves – up the main ridge of the island’s gentle hills. It had taken me decades to finally venture up there and explore what appears like a vision of several lucid buildings against…
Strongylò Island – the living dead
Strongylò was a little Garden Eden in the Aegean Sea – in the Skantzoura archipelago of the Northern Sporades. Until it was devastated by people who had brought goats and rabbits to this vulnerable isle.
Gioura, Northern Sporades – ancient goat breed
The island of Gioura was a royal possession and is now owned by the Greek State. It is the most efficiently protected area of the Marine Park Northern Sporades. One or two wardens stay there permanently, at least since the 1950s, several decades prior to the park’s foundation. The wardens report to the Forestry Department…
Gioura – civilization over 10.000 years
Gioura Island presents a rugged mountain wilderness from sea-level to 800 meters altitude. Human habitation always must have been confined to some plain stretches of land with clay soil. Steep lime-stone ridges surround these earlier cultivated areas like natural fortifications. One has to consider changes in sea-level of up to 85 meters below recent marks.…