30/09/2026
מפליגים באזור לפקדה? שימו לב.
האי אטוקוס (שנהיה מפורסם בזכות החזירים שלו) רשם העונה כבר מספר מקרים של נשיכות, בעיקר ילדים, והיו גם דיווחים על חזירים שנפגעו ממדחפי סירות.
אם אתם מגיעים: לא להאכיל, לא לרדוף ולא לעודד אותם להיכנס למים לצילומים. וכשמתקרבים לחוף להפליג בזהירות.
אפשר ליהנות מהמפגש, בלי להפוך את החיות לאטרקציה. 🌿
🐗⚠️ CONCERNS GROW OVER THE SEMI-WILD PIGS OF ATOKOS
The Panhellenic Animal Welfare and Environmental Federation has called for action regarding the increasing tourist interaction with the semi-wild pigs on Atokos Island, here in the Ionian Sea.
Atokos has become a very popular stop for excursion boats and private yachts. Every summer, large numbers of visitors go ashore to see, photograph, feed and even swim with the pigs.
What may seem like a fun and unusual holiday experience is now raising serious concerns about animal welfare, visitor safety and protection of the natural environment.
According to a report by ilefkada.gr, more than eight incidents involving pig bites — mainly involving children — reportedly resulted in people being taken to Lefkada Hospital for first aid during this season.
Even more concerning is a recent allegation reported by the Federation that pigs on Atokos were injured by boat propellers and left injured on the beach without immediate veterinary treatment.
The Federation is now calling on the relevant authorities to investigate the situation and take appropriate measures, including:
🐗 Protecting the animals from constant disturbance and feeding
🚤 Better control of boats approaching the beach and animals
⚠️ Investigating the reported injuries caused by boat propellers
👨👩👧 Improving safety for visitors, particularly children
🌿 Protecting the natural environment and biodiversity of Atokos
🔎 Checking the legality of organised tourist activities involving the animals
🩺 Considering an appropriate veterinary management programme for the pig population
For those of us who regularly sail and work throughout the Ionian, Atokos is a beautiful and very special place.
We should be able to enjoy places like this without turning the animals living there into a tourist attraction.
If you visit Atokos, admire the pigs from a safe distance. Do not chase them, encourage them into the water or feed them simply to get a photograph. Boats should also take particular care when manoeuvring close to the shoreline where animals may enter the water.
🌊 Enjoy the Ionian. Respect the Ionian. Protect the Ionian. 💙
📍 Atokos Island, Ionian Sea
📰 Source: ilefkada.gr – 27 September
