Some days ago, a letter was sent asking for a hunting ban in Rhodes because of the recently devastating fire. UNFORTUNATELY, APPEALS FROM ANIMAL WELFARE AND ENVIRONMENTAL BODIES HAVE BEEN IGNORED.

After a while, we were informed that the Rhodes Forestry Department allowed hunting on the island. Before that, a circular by the Ministry of Environment and Energy was sent to all forestry services for hunting licenses before the annual hunting regulatory decision.

Surprisingly, there is a hunting ban in burnt areas where too few animals have been left while hunting is allowed in neighboring regions which are a shelter for these animals.

Such a fact is much more tragic as animals are forced to live in confined spaces.

Two days ago, the new regulatory decision regarding the hunting season 2023-2024 was issued. It was welcomed by hunters as the government fulfilled all their demands, as listed below:

-a longer hunting period regarding a series of migratory birds

-a longer hunting period regarding blackbirds even during the period when they build their nest

-The hunting of the endangered turtle dove is still allowed in contrast to the other EU countries

-The hunting period of wild boar is extended

Why are you doing this?

Why wild animals are left to the mercy of hunters?

Really, do you believe that hunters affect more people than those who care for the wildlife and the environment?

You are wrong! You have not taken into consideration that the world has changed. The animal welfare movement is growing and more and more people concern about both wild animals and horses, donkeys, cows and livestock.

A growing number of people understands that the way we treat wild and domestic animals is related to ethics, the environment and human’s survival.

The problem is that few politicians seem to realize it. You should bear in mind that those who are interested in animals vastly outnumber the hunters.

A growing number of people strongly believes that hunting is not a sport. It is a disastrous, threatening and dangerous activity.

 

WE DEMAND THAT:

• HUNTING LICENSES ARE WITHDRAWN IMMEDIATELY REGARDING RHODES AND ALL REGIONS HIT BY FIRE
• THE NEW HUNTING REGULATORY DECISION IS WITHDRAWN IMMEDIATELY
• COOPERATION WITH ANIMAL WELFARE AND ENVIRONMENTAL BODIES IS DEVELOPED AGAINST THREATS OF HUNTING