Sustainable tourism in Cyprus

Today there are more than 100 donkeys in the care of the Cyprus Donkey Sanctuary at Vouni village in the Limassol district. They are large, small, young, old, gray, white or brown... but they all have one thing in common, they are no longer wanted. Machines have largely replaced them in the fields and vineyards, or, their owners are too elderly to look after them any more. The donkeys come from villages all over Cyprus. As well as looking after the animals at the Vouni sanctuary, the sanctuary goes to villages where there are working donkeys. On a selected day, the donkeys are gathered and with a mobile clinic provided vaccinations, medication for worms and parasites, treatment for feet and teeth, a general medical examination, medication and advice. Every owner receives an illustrated bulletin showing how to look after donkeys in the best way.

The arrival of animals in Cyprus has been a subject of interest to zoologists, since it has always been an island. According to existing evidence, the first arrivals were hippopotami and elephants, both excellent swimmers. They arrived 1,5 mil. years ago and apart from some shrews and mice, were the only land mammals roaming the island prior to Man's arrival 9.000 years ago. The present-day fauna of Cyprus includes some 7 species of land mammals, 26 species of amphibians and reptiles, 357 species of birds, a great variety of insects and mites, while the coastal waters of the island give shelter to 197 fish species and various species of crabs, sponges and echinodermata. The largest wild animal that still lives on the island is the Cyprus moufflon (Ovis orientalis ophion), a rare type of wild sheep that can only be found in Cyprus. Cyprus is used by millions of birds as a stepping-stone during their migration from Europe to Africa and back, something that has been observed since Homeric times. The main reason for that is the occurrence on the island of two wetlands, with unique and international importance, namely Larnaca and Akrotiri salt lakes.

Animal Responsibility Cyprus (ARC)

P.O. Box 56986

3311 LIMASSOL

Tel: + 357 499 580/416 852

Email

BARC - British (Forces) Animal Rehoming Centre

Norfolk Hill, Episkopi Garrison

BFPO 53

Tel: + 357 (5) 963 733

Email

British Forces Animal Welfare Society (Cyprus)

Block 443, Dhekelia Garrison

BFPO 58

Tel: + 357 (4) 744 432

Email

Cyprus Association for the Protection and Care of Animals

P.O. Box 61349

8133 KATO PAPHOS

Tel: + 357 (99) 683 775

Fax: + 357 (26) 272 546

Email

Cyprus CATS

c/o Charity Shop 339c St Andrews Street

LIMASSOL

Tel: + 357 (9) 467 099

Fax: + 357 (5) 312 702

Cyprus SPCA

P.O. Box 24020

1700 NICOSIA

Tel: + 357 (2) 350 530

Diana's Animal Welfare

Tel: + 357 (5) 356 426

Eleni's dogshelter

38 Ayia Theklis Syniklismos

SOTIRA, Famagusta

Tel: + 357 99330108

Friends of the Cyprus Donkey

4772 VOUNI VILLAGE

Tel: + 357 (5) 944 151

Fax: + 357 (5) 942 582

Larnaca Association for the Protection of Animals and Birds

LARNACA

Tel: + 357 (4) 621 034/625 667

Fax: + 357 (4) 658 524

Malcolm Cat Protection Society

P.O. Box 53759

3314 LIMASSOL

Tel: + 357 (25) 952 622

Email

Nicosia Dog Shelter

c/o Shop @ 43 Granikou Street

NICOSIA

Tel: + 357 (2) 359 010/669 568

Email

Paphiakos & CCP Animal Welfare

P.O. Box 61272

8132 KATO PAPHOS

Tel: + 357 (26) 946 461

Fax: + 357 (26) 222 236

Email

Pets, Animals and Wildlife in Cyprus

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