WHO WE ARE
Pelargos NATURA NonProfit is the end result of the wildlife-loving Conservation vision of two friends, co-owners at the time of Attica Zoological Park, with the purpose of effectively contributing to the Protection and Conservation of the amazing Greek Wildlife. Although there are various competent organizations in Greece, each of which specializes in the protection of specific endangered species, there were very few organizations with the experience and capacity to deal with any species facing serious problems within Greek Nature. Due to our extensive experience at the time at Attica Zoological Park through the caring of more than 300 different animal species, our specialized staff of dozens of passionate animal caretakers, the easily accessible international expertise within EAZA (European Association of Zoos & Aquaria) including centuries of scientific knowledge regarding all wild species, in addition to our facilities capable of hosting any species requiring human care and, lastly, our financial ability to support any serious animal protection effort, we felt it to be our duty to establish an independent Non Profit structure dedicated to this very purpose.
Thus the Non Profit company Pelargos NATURA was founded in September 2011. Since then we have accomplished significant work in the field of Wildlife Protection and Conservation in collaboration with some of the most respected organizations in Greece, which have historically been involved seriously and expertly in this field. Apart from these organizations, we have achieved a lot through collaborations with specialized scientists, most of whom we continue to support to this day in their demanding fieldwork: they contribute their passion for the species they are captivated by, their specialized knowledge and their labour, while we contribute international and local knowhow and experience, human resources, any necessary facilities, nutrition and veterinary support through Attica Zoo Park when required, as well as funding, any necessary State or professional contacts, or whatever else is needed on a case-by-case basis.
Our funding sources are multiple. Our initials sources of funding were personal funds and Attica Park donations. Others included the Green Fund of the Ministry of Environment (which pays back realised programme costs), organizations like the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, private companies within the framework of their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) activities, as well as individual anonymous donations.
In 2021, the company’s ownership structure was modified with the participation of Anna Kazazou, who replaced the Lesueur family’s corporate participation. Anna remains a senior executive at Attica Zoo Park, ensuring its effective contribution whenever required. She brings to Pelargos NATURA her passion for Wildlife Conservation, as well as the necessary knowledge and extensive experience in the handling of wild animals.
The goal of Pelargos NATURA is to be the catalyst for continuous substantial Wildlife Conservation actions in Greece, which will deliver effective results for the benefit of our country’s unique wildlife. To achieve our goal, we gladly also serve as a connectivity link of the initial vision or great idea of a novel Conservation programme, to the proper organisation most suitable for the programme’s continuation into the future. In this case we take all initial risks and undertake the necessary seed financing, until the responsible and species dedicated organisation solves its organizational and financial infrastructure and is ready to inherit our foundational work and knowhow, so as to take it to another level in the indefinite future, or to its successful completion. We like to think of ourselves as committed doers, undertaking any project that is difficult or unprecedented, always aiming for the optimal Conservation of Greek Wildlife.
