Disoriented by wildfires, migrating storks die crossing Greece

ATHENS: Migrating storks crossing through Greece on their way to Africa have fallen victim to the wildfires raging across the country for the past week, becoming disoriented by the flames and getting lost, injured or killed, wildlife groups said.

Every year, storks cross the Attica region around Athens, heading for Cape Sounion about 70 km (45 miles) southeast of the capital where they wait for favourable winds to help carry them across the Mediterranean into Africa for the winter. "Unfortunately, they were passing at the time of the fire," said Maria Ganoti, president of the Hellenic Wildlife Care Association ANIMA, which nurses and rehabilitates wild animals at its first aid centre in Athens.