Kefalonia Wild Horses Face Hunger, Road Dangers and Shootings

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Semi-wild horses from Mount Ainos in Kefalonia are facing a critical struggle for survival as a lack of water and food drives them into residential areas, roads and farmland.

The horses descend from their natural habitat in search of food and water, creating increasing tensions with local residents who say the animals damage crops and private property. The conflict has also resulted in disturbing incidents in which people have allegedly shot and killed horses.

Speaking to Greek broadcaster MEGA, Stamo Abatiellou, a representative of the animal welfare organisation “Adespota en Drasi” (Strays in Action), said authorities needed to address both the horse population and the risks the animals create when they enter populated areas and roads.

“The truth is that something needs to be done and the population needs to be controlled, because at the moment they are entering properties,” Abatiellou said.

She stressed that animal welfare groups also have to consider public safety.

“We are not only interested in the horses. We are also interested in the safety of people, their properties and passers-by, because the horses are on the road,” she said.

Calls for controlled population management

The animal welfare organisation has proposed a series of measures to local authorities, drawing on a scientific study by the University of Thessaloniki.

The proposals include controlled management of the horse population, sterilisation and the creation of a dedicated park where the animals could live safely.

Abatiellou said the organisation could help authorities organise such a programme, including identifying suitable locations and determining how the animals could be managed.

“We can organise who, where and when,” she said, adding that the group had identified locations where stallions could potentially be confined.

However, she said the organisation lacked the necessary technical expertise to implement a comprehensive programme.

The group has nevertheless offered to work without payment on any programme or plan adopted to address the situation.

Shooting incidents under investigation

Authorities have already opened case files over horse-shooting incidents reported on the island.

The incidents have intensified concerns among animal welfare groups, which argue that authorities must address the underlying problems before further animals are injured or killed.

DORIS, another animal welfare organisation, has linked the latest incident to what it describes as a wider failure to adequately protect the horses and respond to repeated cases involving animals.

The organisation has criticised both central authorities and local government, arguing that repeated incidents of animal abuse or injury without timely and effective intervention can create an environment of tolerance.

DORIS has also called on anyone who witnesses or knows about violence against animals to report it, stressing that silence should not become an option.

Calls for an organised protection plan

DORIS is calling for a coordinated strategy to prevent further incidents and improve the safety of both the horses and people on the island.

Its proposals include:

• implementing an organised protection and prevention plan;
• drawing on expertise that the organisation says authorities have already used in Rodopi;
• installing road signs and illuminated warning signals in areas where horses frequently appear;
• coordinating animal welfare organisations and volunteers so they can respond quickly when incidents occur.

The dispute highlights the difficult balance authorities face between protecting the semi-wild horse population of Mount Ainos, safeguarding private property and crops, and preventing road accidents and further violence against the animals.

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