Animals and plants that live in nature contribute to the ecological, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural and aesthetic aspects of human well-being and sustainable development. Every year more than 8,000 wildlife animals are lost, injured, orphaned or sick and in danger of dying because they are not given first aid or do not arrive at a veterinary clinic on time.
The Greek Scouts responded to the need to defend wildlife. In 2019 for the first time in Greece a voluntary, award-winning and pioneering initiative, the "Scout Wildlife Rescue Team" was created. This Rescue Team, is now consisted of 270 Adult Scouts (young volunteers of the Scout Movement), located in 100 cities of the country who, having after receiving the appropriate training from specialized associates and with the appropriate equipment can rush and rescue any wild animal fauna of our endangered country.
Rescuing endangered wildlife requires a unique set of skills, very different from that used to handle pets. The equipment, the handling, the type of cage and the level of care a wild animal receives, is really important.
The presence of 25,000 Scouts in 350 neighborhoods of the country but also the continuous actions in the mountains and forests of the country - home of dozens of mammals, birds - allows the "Scout Wildlife Rescue Team" to have a nationwide reach! The direct cooperation between the members of the Scout Movement is achieved with special trainings of the volunteer-members, with cooperation and upgrading of the relations with the Environmental Organizations that implement rescue and care of the animals that protect and by showing to the general public the need to preserve the Wild. Life and the "ethics" of its protection.
In conclusion, the Environmental Initiative succeeded:
- The strengthening of environmental awareness and the development of environmental awareness
- The provision of specialized knowledge to the 270 participants in order to take action as Wildlife Rescuers.
- Linking and aligning the program with the global environmental challenges associated with the Sustainable Development Goals
- The increase of rescue possibilities, in terms of technical and material means and operational procedures (by providing a special backpack Rescue kit)
- Upgrading the relations between Environmental Organizations and citizens through close cooperation for the care of rescued Wildlife.
- Promotion, information and participatory process of social actors, the public, citizens for the quality of life and the value of preventive action in favor of wildlife (wildlife)
- The substantial and cumulative development of the capacities of Scouts of Greece, and of the collaborating organizations, through the maximization of the utilization of its existing facilities and human resources.
From 2019 until today, through the "Scout Wildlife Rescue Team" have been rescued dozens of animals of the Greek fauna in the 100 cities where the group exists. In fact, some of them have already been cured and left free in their natural environment.
The program "Scout Wildlife Rescue Team" is actively supported by Environmental Organizations that provide Care in Greece: ANIMA, ARCHELON, ARKTOUROS, ARION, MOM, ACTION FOR THE WILDLIFE of the "Environment" & Energy, the measure "Innovative actions with citizens" and the financial program "Natural Environment and innovative environmental actions".
Defending and rescuing wildlife is a new effort by Greek Scouts as part of their voluntary commitment to the practical implementation of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (for which they are Global Ambassadors), responding to the needs of society and biodiversity. It is recalled that the Scouts, having actually contributed more than 2 billion hours of social contribution to peace and sustainable development, were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
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