Volunteerism at Arctouros

Today i want to share with you a very nice experience that i had two years ago as a volunteer at the Environmental Centre of ARCTUROS.

Environmental Centre ARCTUROS , is a Greek ecological organization which focuses its efforts on saving the brown bear and its habitats.

Brown bears once ranged all across Europe, but human encroachment on their forest habitats have made them an endangered species. Through the efforts of Arcturos, the size of the Greek brown bear population appears to have doubled in recent years. The organization also undertakes the rescue of bears kept captive in inhumane conditions—such as the notorious "dancing bears", which are taken as cubs to be trained following the killing of their mother, as well as orphan bears and those improperly kept in zoos. It comprises a Veterinary Centre located in the village of Aetos, where animals are nursed back to health and a Mountain Sanctuary in the nearby Verno mountains close to the picturesque village of Nymfaio, an enclosed section of forest where the bears are transferred to be cared for and studied until they are able to be released back into the wild. The Sanctuary also serves as an educational and study field for scientists and the public alike.

The Environmental Centre of ARCTUROS consists of three locations:

1 The shelter of the brown bear located near the beautiful traditional village of Nimfeo.
(There i saw and i fed some bears.)

The road leading to the shelter of the brown bear

Some pics from inside of the shelter

2 The brown bear information centre(Νίκειος σχολή) also located near village of Nimfeo.
(There i learned a lot of things about bears.)

3 The wolf shelter and Greek shepherd dog shelter located near the village of Aetos.
(There i learned a lot of things about wolfs and Greek shepherd dogs.)

Some pics from inside.
A wolf

Greek shepherd dogs

The beautiful traditional village of Nimfeo. (Pics)

Free horses inside and around the village!!!

The valunteer's house

The decision to participate as a volunteer in the arcturos evolved into an extraordinary experience. I learned about the way of life of bear, wolf and the Greek shepherd and I am surprised !!! I met important and friendly people. Tour guides were always willing to teach you about animals and nature. The combination of the beautiful environment with the clean air was this giving you the energy you do not want to stop your activities throughout the day. I hope that the opportunity to participate as a volunteer will be re-introduced.
Become a volunteer it worths!!!
I want to thank my friend Katerina for some of these beautiful pics.
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Thank you!