The Berlin Magazine “Freiheit fur Tierre” published an interview that they conducted with me on Tilos and which can be found at: http://www.abschaffung-der-jagd.at/alternative-tilos.htm This is the transcript of my 2005 interview in English.
What kind of wild animals are typical of the fauna of Tilos?
Tilos is very fortunate to have a rich variety of fauna that thrive in our island environment consisting of 16 different biotopes that are fed by underground fresh water springs throughout the island.
Our most visible and graceful wildlife includes more than one hundred twelve different resident and migratory bird species, of which more than one third are classified by the EU as endangered, vulnerable or rare. The extraordinary range of rainbow colors that glisten in the sunshine, especially during migratory season, is illustrated on the feathers of our kingfishers, rollers, hoopoes, purple heron, glossy ibis, Audouin’s gulls, European and blue-cheeked bee-eaters, little ringed plovers, white tailed eagles and many others, including a plumed white reef egret that has been known to stray from the Sinai peninsula to visit our island.
The threat of extinction of some of these species prompted the EU to establish a “Priority of Funding” Life Nature Program on the island primarily for the population rehabilitation of three particular bird species: Bonelli’s eagle, Eleonora falcon and the Mediterranean shag. However, in addition to our winged wildlife that grace the island skies, we also have ingratiating terrestrial wildlife that includes rabbits, hedgehogs, reptiles, wild goats, and even a non-indigenous turtle whose origin is unknown to visiting scientists yet who made our water reservoir its home. Our endangered marine wildlife includes the lithe Mediterranean seals that live in our sheltered coves and share our local waters with lively whales, dolphins and tuna that are frequently seen from shore.
And which animals were usually hunted before the ban?
Prior to the hunting ban, the most hunted animal was the chukar partridge bird species which happens to be the primary food source throughout the year for our many raptors, which include the endangered Bonelli’s Eagle, the Booted Eagle, the honey buzzard, the Goshawk and the long legged buzzard. During the first three months of hunting season, our Eleonora falcons change their diet from large insects to small birds. The reason the falcons change their diet is that they breed and reproduce from August through November before their long migration to Madagascar, so it is imperative that the adults as well as the newborn birds take in enough nourishment for added body weight in order for them to survive the long journey. The importance of our Eleonora falcon species is that Tilos is home to 10% of the entire world population of this endangered falcon which, according to the Hellenic Ornithological Society, makes Tilos one of the three most important sites in all of Europe for this falcon. Unfortunately, Tilos does not have a sufficient food supply of small birds to satisfy the nutritional needs of our endangered raptors and recreational hunters as well.
Tilos is very mountainous with rocky hillsides and, as a result, our endangered raptors have a difficult time in seizing their prey because of the numerous rocky outcrops and crevices that serve as shelter in which these small birds hide. A sufficient undisturbed food supply for the raptors and the prevention of loss of this supply to recreational hunters are vital to the rehabilitation of our endangered raptor population. The prospective success of the €824.212 EU Life Nature program was analyzed by the EU authorities who approved the investment on the basis of the existing undisturbed environment which provides sufficient food and habitat for the raptor species to breed and reproduce. According to European Union ornithologists, any loss of food supply for these raptors will likely result in a corresponding loss of nourishment, vulnerability to disease, reduced breeding and reproduction as well as premature death. This scientific fact is one of the reasons why the islanders support a hunting ban on Tilos in order to give the wildlife on Tilos the freedom, in which they were born, to live a natural life which is already fraught with risks of early mortality. The islanders recognize and respect the wisdom of nature manifested in its interdependent and continuing cycles of life.
How long has there been no hunting on the island?
As a result of a succession of temporary Administrative Decrees since 1992, the latest of which is scheduled to expire on August 22, 2006, under Aegean Periphery Document No. 4978, hunting has been banned on Tilos for the last 13 years.
In October 2005, the Tilos Park Association, a non-profit association, prepared a white paper based on European Union Directives mandatory for all Member States and European Court of Justice (ECJ) cases stating that (1) hunting on Tilos, a registered Special Protection Area with its existing circumstances, is a violation of EU law and ECJ rulings; and (2) the Hellenic government use of these temporary decrees to ban hunting that may be terminated at any time also violates EU law according to the ECJ.
The recent public declaration by Minister of the Aegean Aristotelis Pavlides that hunting will definitely be introduced on Tilos, a declaration for which his constituents continue to hold him responsible, is a certainty unless the Tilos Natural Park is approved by the Hellenic government without further delay.
Based upon the Greek scientific feasibility study of the Tilos aviary species and habitat that was accepted by the Hellenic Ministry of the Environment and that served as the basis for the registration of Tilos as a Special Protection Area (SPA) and a Natura 2000 site, the Hellenic government prepared a written proposal for the establishment of the Tilos Natural Park. In this Park proposal, there is a provision that prohibits hunting on the entire island of Tilos and its fourteen uninhabited islets which collectively constitute the SPA. As of October 31, 2005, the approval for the establishment of this Tilos Natural Park has been delayed for three years since 2002 and is currently awaiting approval by the Deputy Minister of the Environment.
Long awaited approval of the Tilos Natural Park by the Hellenic government would resolve the current hunting issue in a manner that conforms to all of the relevant European Union Directives and decisions of the European Court of Justice.
Why was hunting stopped?
Approximately 15 years ago, the Municipality of Tilos responded to two very important factors. The first factor was the existence of a rich variety of wildlife on Tilos that the EU classifies as endangered. The second factor was the recognition by islanders of important socio-economic needs to make a living, to retain the Greek village way of life as a repudiation of globalization and culture loss, and to enjoy a natural, unspoiled countryside during their leisure time. The economy of Tilos consists of agriculture and tourism. In order to develop a sustainable form of tourism that is enjoyed by visitors to Tilos and, most importantly, creates long term jobs for the residents of the Municipality, ecotourism was the natural choice to pursue.
The Municipality then focused its efforts in pursuit of registration of Tilos and its 14 uninhabited islets as a Special Protection Area by the EU in accordance with the provisions of the Habitats Directive [92/43/EEC]. Banning hunting that depletes island flora and fauna resources was the next logical step in order to protect the ecotourism that islanders wanted to develop. In addition, banning hunting on Tilos that has three endangered bird species (being rehabilitated by the Life Nature program) that breed and reproduce during the entire hunting season conforms to the mandatory legal requirements of the Birds and Habitats Directives. Allowing hunting on Tilos will actually violate the Directives as they apply to this island.
The islanders with occupations in the tourism industry have increasingly noticed that most of their visitors come to get close to nature by enjoying our 67 km of walking paths, photographing nature, painting the island wildlife and bird watching up close. Some guests have openly acknowledged that they would not come to Tilos if the island allowed hunting. Naturally the restaurant owners and hotel owners respond to these comments by working hard to give the visitors what they enjoy. This explains why hunting was banned and is economically damaging to the island residents.
Are the animals multiplying out of control, because they are not hunted? Or does the population always remain approximately the same?
The population of huntable as well as non-huntable species will naturally vary from year to year due to a variety of factors including: the amount of rainfall which affects the growth of habitat for food, shelter and nesting material; the available fresh water from the springs; the range of temperature throughout the year which may include exceptional cold or heat which in turn will affect the survival rate of the species; the occurrence of natural disasters such as unusual flooding or bird flu; the occurrence of unnatural disasters such as arson fire which the island has unfortunately experienced from those opposed to the protection of the environment; etc.
So far, the Tilos Park Association is aware of only two fauna species that are multiplying faster than the ecosystem can accommodate. The first is the hooded crow population, which contributes to the destruction of other bird species’ eggs as well as agricultural production. The second is the domestic goat population, which destroys the natural habitat on the island including rare orchids because these goats live freely in the countryside without restraints such as fences. The hooded crow population problem is currently being addressed by the ornithologists participating in the Life Nature program to devise the least invasive and most humane method to stem the excessive population growth (killing them is not a consideration). The domestic “wild” goat population has been addressed by Dr. Mario Broggi from the ETH Council in Switzerland who explained to the satisfaction of the European Union that goat subsidies are counterproductive in certain cases such as Tilos. As an alternative, he recommended a short term compensation package for goat farmers who reduce their goat population to improve the environment throughout the European Union where the goat population has been excessive and destructive.
There are no other known problems of excessive species population on the island. On the contrary, the remaining animal species encounter numerous hardships, including risk of danger from predators on a daily basis which threaten their survival.
Is there crop damage because of wild animals?
Crop damage from animals certainly exists, but it may be helpful to define crop damage as significant or insignificant in relation to the annual quantities of island agricultural production.
To begin with, the major offenders on the island are hooded crows, rabbits and wild goats which are known to damage crops. However, the damage does not represent a significant economic loss according to agricultural production information from the agricultural community. The reasons for this are as follows: hooded crows are “omnivores, rob other birds’ nests, take refuse and carrion, insects and other invertebrates on fields and seashores, including small fish, mussels, etc., berries, seeds, etc.” [Birds of Europe, Mullarney, Svensson, Zetterstrom and Grant]. Therefore, when the farmers engage in practices that discourage the birds’ from picking their crops, the birds have a range of other diet options on the island to which they routinely turn for sustenance. The farmers’ tactics include draping fishing nets over their crops, attaching strips of cloth to wooden poles on their fields that blow in the wind and, of course, the presence of human activity on the farm causes the birds to flee. The birds are, however, a nuisance to farmers who devote time and effort to scaring them away from their fields.
The wild goats primarily live away from the cultivated farms and, therefore, do not comprise a significant incursion into cultivated areas of the island. The rabbits exist, but their population is controlled by the farmers.
Do the wild animals eat young reforested trees?
The free roaming goats are prevented from eating reforested trees by the fencing that is placed around the trees when they are young. We do, however, have a serious problem with goats destroying the young unprotected trees on the island. Wherever possible, and as the goat population slowly declines on the island, reforestation takes place in areas of low risk of loss and where watering of new trees can be ensured.
Is the growth of the forest endangered?
The most serious threats to our forests are from arson or intentional destruction by those who are angry at the conservation efforts of the island municipality. Goats can be prevented from harming new trees and the municipality uses water trucks to water new trees as indicated above in the previous answer. So, while threats to our trees do exist, we do our best to keep a watchful eye at all times throughout the year to safeguard them from unnatural harm.
Can you confirm from your own experience that animals and nature maintain a natural balance, without interference of man?
Yes, and Tilos is an example of this scientifically proven theory. With only 300 permanent island residents, most of the island is undeveloped and exists in a natural state. In the event that one species multiplies faster than the limited island food source can accommodate, nature eventually restores this balance through a lack of available food supply resulting in premature deaths and reduced breeding until nature’s balance is restored. But let us illustrate what can happen in a similar situation in which man’s intervention also causes a reduced species population but to the irreversible detriment of society.
We have four pairs of Bonelli’s eagles distributed throughout our 63 sq km island. This species is classified by the EU as endangered and vulnerable to extinction. The situation is sufficiently serious to the EU that it identified Tilos as warranting a “Top Priority of Funding” to rehabilitate the population of this eagle and two other seriously endangered bird species: Eleonorae falcon and the Mediterranean shag. Each pair of Bonelli’s eagles normally requires approximately 11.9 km. between nests and they are very territorial according to the European Species Action Plan for this bird. These eagles are known to travel up to 200 miles a day searching for food, which usually consists of smaller birds and animals, and only one in five arduous attempts is successful. If human activities such as extensive building construction or hunting are introduced to Tilos thereby depleting the bird species that serve as food for these eagles and our other endangered island raptors, the endangered raptors will have a reduced food supply and the same result will occur. Premature deaths of existing endangered eagles and reduced breeding due to an inadequate food supply caused by hunting island chukhar or loss of habitat for the chukhar if there is excessive building construction. Therefore, man’s intervention without thoughtful reflection of its consequences does not appear to serve the best interests of nature of which humanity is only a part.
Is the animals' behaviour different on Tilos than on other Greek islands, for example, do they approach man in a more trusting way?
In my experience, there is a significant difference between animal behavior on islands with and without hunting. Let me give you two examples. According to information from The Complete Guide to the Birds of Europe by Mullarney, Svensson, Zetterstrom and Grant as well as RSPB Complete Birds of Britain and Europe by Rob Hume, two bird species identified as Hoopoes [Upupa epops]and Scops owls [Otus scops]have uncharacteristically devoted a great deal of time on my patio at home. Hoopoes are “Wary, keep a certain distance from man” and Scops owls are “practically impossible to track down to a visible roost” and “daytime views [of scops owls] are much more difficult to get”. I have attached a photograph of one of the Scops owls that lived with its two babies this summer in a sparrow’s nesting box on my patio next to our kitchen to illustrate my point. One of the branches of my grapevine on the patio was a favorite resting spot for island hoopoes this year. Daily garden watering and laundry drying in the proximity of these extended family members of ours didn’t discourage them at all. These human-shy birds would be more wary of my family or friends who visit the house if human activity on the island of Tilos were threatening or disturbing as with hunting. Instead Tilians are compatible with or, at the very least, indifferent to, the birds’ presence. People I know on other islands that permit hunting have never had the experiences I have had. This is why our island ecotourism is growing every year. Visitors have an opportunity to get very close to our wildlife because there is no threatening activity such as hunting to make the animals afraid of man.
Do you think that the project of your island can be applied also in other parts of the earth?
Absolutely. Our Tilos Park Association model can be adapted to any place in the world that permits the legal operation of a non-profit NGO. The reason that this organizational model is easy to adapt internationally is simple: There are many people in every country who share the same dream of preserving the natural environment while at the same time respecting the needs of people to make a living. This achievable goal is already demonstrated in industry by companies such as Boutari Vineyards in Greece and Volkswagen in Germany. The people who join our Tilos Park Association share the same aspirations and understand that they are actually the ones who guide the activities and efforts of the organization. We are fortunate to have dues paying members who actively participate when they vote, express their views, come to our office to talk to us or send us e-mails with their ideas and opinions. Therefore, our members know that their voice is heard, respected and acted upon because we respond to every e-mail, talk with everyone who comes to our office and report our activities to the entire membership through our electronic Tilos Park News that has a subscription list of over 2,300 people. The European Court of Justice once noted that protection of the environment is a transfrontier issue which is at the same time compatible with the rights of every individual to make a living. Our TPA model of being financially independent of government assistance ensures our sustainability and accomplishment of purpose to support the islanders in their efforts to make a living and allow the natural environment to thrive for the pleasure of all.
Do you also have projects to restore the vegetation to its natural state, for example establishing biotopes (stone-biotopes for reptiles and rodents, wetlands for amphibians and birds, hedges for birds and insects and small animals)?
Yes, we have several exciting projects designed to restore our indigenous flora and fauna to a favorable conservation status. We recently began an annual plantation of cereals that used to be widely cultivated on the island before the last world war. Funding for this plantation is provided by the EU Life Nature Program for Tilos. These crops are not for human consumption, but rather provide food and nesting material for the resident and migratory bird species as well as undisturbed habitat for other small animals. We are restoring the areas around the natural springs that provide fresh water for our wildlife and are anticipating a funding approval for a new wetlands project. This wetlands project will create a two tiered water reservoir system in which underground water is first directed to an upper level pool of water to be filled with water plants and trees. Water from this pool will be channeled into an existing, lower elevation reservoir which will be filled with water plants to facilitate the activity of life which preserves the natural state of fresh water. This wetlands project includes the construction of an observatory site for visitors to enjoy the birds that frequent our water reservoir such as purple heron, falcon eleonora, white reef egret, Audouin’s seagulls and more. We are also restoring 67 kilometers of walking paths on the island to protect the flora through which these paths meander, including the fragrant and medicinal wild herbs on the island that Tilos, the son of Apollo, once collected to cure his mother’s illness according to legend.
Has the rhythm and the way of life changed in Tilos, since there is no longer hunting?
The rhythm and way of life on Tilos is best expressed in socio-economic terms. Put simply, what do people usually do here? For centuries, islanders have been and continue to be farmers and traders. As traders, they have brought goods and supplies from outside the island and demonstrated the Greek tradition of filoxenia, or hospitality, to strangers which evolved into modern day tourism. The absence of hunting was actually the desire of the islanders who felt that island hunting was hurting tourism and, thus, their ability to make a living through the ancient tradition of filoxenia. Tilos does not have Greek tourist attractions such as ancient temples or statues for visitors. Tilos offers something special that other locations usually do not have: beautiful, relaxing beaches and a rich array of unspoiled natural wildlife living in harmony with traditional Greek village life. Tilians learned long ago that hunting actually depletes the island resources whereas ecotourism preserves the natural resources and wildlife that visitors come to enjoy because it is notably absent from their urban life at home. So, as you can see, the rhythm and traditional Greek way of life remain unchanged notwithstanding the absence of hunting.
Do you think that hunting is cruel?
The method and purpose of hunting serve as two possible discussion points to your question.
As to methodology, non-selective and/or indiscriminate targeting of any life by any method, including shooting or with arrows, which results or is likely to result in injury, suffering, maiming or killing is or should be insupportable by any international standard.
As to the issue of purpose, we know from our history lessons in school that in the beginning man was a hunter-gatherer. Hunting provided food, clothing and, in many cases, shelter for human beings. Hunting was, therefore, necessary for human survival. Today hunting provides food for some people that, in most European cases, represents an infrequent substitute method for food purchases at the grocery store. I believe that the issue of hunting for non-essential purposes such as trophy hunting or hunting beyond the hunter’s need of food should be reserved for the thoughtful reflection of your readers.
Is there a growing number or lobby of people in Tilos and in all of Greece who are against hunting?
In my experience, there is a growing Greek as well as international awareness that hunting is a legitimate, recreational activity for areas that do not contain a disproportionately high number of endangered species relative to a small land area such as Tilos. Tilians believe in equal rights for all. That is to say, Tilians understand that hunters should have the right to practice their activity without prejudice and, at the same time, people who want to get close to nature as well as the endangered wildlife itself should also have equal rights to their needs without prejudice. These rights are compatible as long as areas are designated for each to enjoy. A simple analogy is reflected in Greek urban life. People have the right to the quiet enjoyment of their home while at the same time industry has the right to exist to provide employment. Peaceful residential neighborhoods can co-exist with business districts thereby creating equal rights and socio-economic harmony for everyone without discriminating against anyone.
It is important to understand that Tilos is only 63 sq km in size which represents a mere 0.0005% of the entire territory of Greece which contains 131,944 sq km according to Michelin. Hunters have alternative available locations within the Hellenic territory. Equally, however, the European Union and the Hellenic government have the right to contribute to the protection of our endangered Aegean species on Tilos with an investment in the Tilos Life Nature Program, the ecotourists who return again and again to Tilos have a right to enjoy the undisturbed wildlife on the island and the islanders have the right to make a living which, in addition to farming, is primarily through ecotourism. By permitting these freedoms, the rights of everyone are met and satisfied.
Dear Editor:
I am very appreciative of the opportunity that you have given to me to share our island philosophy with you and your readers. It is my sincere belief that in order to truly understand and be in harmony with nature, one must truly understand and be at peace with oneself. Once learned, this wisdom is a worthwhile legacy to pass on to future generations. It is my fervent hope that we can successfully teach our children that we must treat our natural environment with the same delicate care with which we treat ourselves, for one simple reason … the natural and eternal beauty that surrounds us also lives deep within us and this is surely worth preserving.
Thank you once again.
Constantine Alexander (a.k.a. Konstantinos Alexandros Mentzelopoulos)
