The presence of the free-roaming Ainos horses in populated areas of Kefalonia has become a long-standing issue without resolution, significantly affecting the daily lives of local residents. Over recent years, the local communities have faced serious challenges in various sectors, particularly worsened during the summer months when the island’s population increases. According to the report from thekefalonianglobe.gr, this issue remains unresolved due to a legal gap that emerged about 12 months ago, leaving the horses "in limbo," as they do not fall under the responsibility of any specific authority. In other words, no agency is responsible for deciding what should happen with these horses.
It should be noted that thekefalonianglobe.gr previously published a report on this issue, which primarily concerns the residents of the Mavrata, Chionata, Valeriana, Markopoulo, and Thiramona areas, in March 2024. A few months later, we are revisiting the matter to provide an update on the current situation and what has happened in the meantime, including the findings and proposals of a scientific study conducted by the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) on behalf of OFYPEKA (Organization for the Protection of Natural Resources and Biodiversity).
The Origin and History of the Ainos Horses
The Ainos horses (Equus caballus) belong to the mountain type of Greek horses and descend from the Pindos breed, which residents used to purchase from livestock fairs in Aetolia-Acarnania (Kefalovryso) and Arta (Menegatos 1995). After World War II, villagers with farms on the mountain slopes left their horses to roam freely to avoid the financial burden of maintaining them. Over time, these horses were abandoned entirely and have since survived in herds. Living under the region's harsh conditions has given them distinct physical traits: heights ranging from 1.15 to 2.25 meters, thick manes and tails, and narrow, deep chests. Their common colors include dark brown, black, light brown, and white. The Ainos National Park Management Agency is deeply interested in preserving and protecting this unique horse population in Kefalonia.
According to Mr. Michalis Xanthakos, a forester and Deputy Director of the Zakynthos and Ionian Islands Protected Areas Management Unit, OFYPEKA (NECCA) has taken several initiatives to address the horse issue. These initiatives include feeding the animals, efforts to remove them from populated areas, and submitting proposals for funding through EU programs. The need for action is urgent, and as Mr. Xanthakos stresses, coordinated efforts are already underway to resolve the problem.
Speaking about the timeline of the case, all the horses were on Mount Ainos, but in recent years, some of them moved to lower altitudes in search of water and food. As a result, they remain in populated areas even today. "Let me tell you a few things about the history of the situation. These horses were always up on the mountain, at the Monastery of the Life-Giving Spring. At some point, they came down to lower areas because they couldn’t find food on the mountain and mixed with some local free-roaming horses, and they have been multiplying continuously. This situation has been ongoing in our area for about 4 years," says Ioannis Hounos, president of the Mavrata community.
Their presence there and their coexistence with humans open up multiple fronts of discussion, ranging from property damage to safety and environmental pollution.
The daily problems caused by the presence of the horses
In communication with local authorities, it became immediately clear that the issue remains unresolved, and no decision has been made, nor is there a clear idea of when it will be addressed. However, despite most residents being generally sympathetic toward the horses, they do not hide the fact that they are significantly troubled by their presence in various ways.
"The horses cause serious damage to properties in our area, as they enter yards, church courtyards, destroy flowers and crops, while the risk of accidents remains high, not only with cars but in general," describes m. Dimitris Kotrokohis, president of the Chionata community . He adds that although the horses are generally likable, they often behave uncontrollably, with instances of them running towards people they encounter. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported so far, as he points out. Additionally, mr.Kotrokohis raises the issue of pollution from the horses’ droppings, noting that streets, yards, playgrounds, and churches in the villages are full of them, causing hygiene and cleanliness problems. A similar view is expressed by mr.Hounos, who emphasizes that the situation worsens due to the pollution caused by their droppings, as "they enter the yards, we wake up in the morning and find them under our windows eating the flowers." Their aggressive behavior, especially during mating, adds even more challenges to an already strained situation, as residents report.
Furthermore, Mr. Hounos, expressing his concern about the long-term problems arising from the growing population of wild horses in the area, emphasizes that "the horses eat everything they find: vineyards, gardens, crops," noting that people involved in agriculture are unable to work. A similar problem is reported by Mr. Kotrokohis, who says, "the farmers in the area are facing very serious problems." Additionally, Nikos Andreatos, president of the Markopoulo local community, confirms the existence of glaring issues in the daily lives of residents, stating that the animals "eat the vineyards, the grass, and the hay, while also causing various other damages and increasing the risk of accidents." Regarding this, Mr. Hounos mentioned that there is a risk of "a car accident happening and someone getting injured," as "4-5 cars have already collided with the horses," fortunately without serious injuries.
However, it is worth mentioning that, according to Mr. Andreatos , there are not only negative aspects but also positive ones regarding the presence of the horses. "The horses have a positive impact as well, since there are many large and inaccessible areas. The horses move through them, opening paths, which prevents the area from becoming a jungle, keeping it somewhat more tamed, while also clearing the roadsides."
The study
The study conducted under the guidance of the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment of AUTH is titled "Monitoring the Population and Management Proposals for Wild Horses in Ainos National Park and Areas of Nafpaktia." However, this text will focus on the data, findings, and proposals that concern exclusively the horses in Kefalonia. The project includes population monitoring and the submission of management proposals.
Professor Dimitrios Bakaloudis , from the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment at AUTH, with expertise in wildlife ecology and management, mentioned in an interview with The Kefalonian Globe regarding the study that, "Our lab, as a research team, undertook the project after a competition announced by OFYPEKA, which funded it."
Regarding the research, the horse population recordings were conducted during three periods—spring, summer, and autumn of 2023. According to Mr. Bakaloudis, this allowed the team to study, among other things, the reproduction and the physical condition of the animals.
«Καταγράψαμε τον αριθμό των αλόγων και τη δομή του πληθυσμού, στην οποία μεταξύ άλλων παίζει πολύ σημαντικό ρόλο -διαχειριστικά- η αναλογία των φύλων (θηλυκό και αρσενικό). Το σύνολο των αλόγων ήταν σε πολύ καλή σωματική κατάσταση γενικότερα, αλλά και από πλευράς διατροφής, πράγμα που επηρεάζει θετικά και την αναπαραγωγή τους, καθώς ένας υγιής πληθυσμός παρουσιάζει υψηλότερη επιτυχία αναπαραγωγής και χαμηλότερη θνησιμότητα, διατηρώντας έτσι μεγάλο ποσοστό νεαρών αλόγων. Αυτά τα στοιχεία υποδηλώνουν ότι ο πληθυσμός έχει πολύ καλές προοπτικές για να αυξηθεί στο μέλλον», εξηγεί ο καθηγητής.
How many are the horses?
Although locals provided estimates, the number of horses they mentioned was not accurate or verified, with many believing there were far more horses than recorded in the study. However, as Professor Bakaloudis emphasized, no horse was missed during the count, as several methods were used for recording and classification, including ground surveys with vehicles and photography, as well as aerial drone surveys. Therefore, according to the professor, the study’s results showed that "the maximum number of horses recorded in 2023 was 31, nine of which were in Ainos National Park, around the Monastery of the Life-Giving Spring, which is their natural habitat. The remaining 22 horses were in the Thiramona area, moving between Thiramona, Chionata, and Elios. Furthermore, while the maximum number was 31 horses, there were at least 5-6 mares in the final stages of pregnancy, meaning that the population would increase due to births in the following months."
Proposals
The study proposed 10 management measures , five of which concern the management of the horse population and their habitat, while the other five are socio-economic measures. According to Mr. Bakaloudis, it is important to note that for the desired result to be achieved, all measures must be implemented, not just some in isolation or piecemeal. "We cannot act in a fragmented manner; the problem must be solved comprehensively," he stated.
The measures are summarized as follows:
- Capture of the 22 horses in the lowland areas (the nine out of the 31 already in their natural habitat remain in Ainos) and relocation to Ainos.
- Sterilization of the captured male horses through castration.
- Immunocontraception for females using a single-dose vaccine. This method lasts 2-3 years and suppresses ovulation, preventing female reproduction.
- Water management (troughs, springs, and shelters for rainwater collection). It is suggested that the springs at the Monastery of the Zoodohou Pigis should be accessible to all animals. Additional measures include constructing new troughs and maintaining some dry reservoirs, along with building shelters for rainwater collection, which would be stored and distributed via a small tank with a level regulator.
- Adoption of the free-roaming horses, particularly the newborn foals, always ensuring male horses are sterilized.
Regarding water management , Mr. Bakaloudis emphasizes that it is a very important measure since the lack of water, as he states, is what drove the horses away from their habitat. These animals are highly demanding in terms of water, but they have been deprived of it, leading them to descend to lower altitudes in search of water. Furthermore, the professor explains that the reason the horses cannot find water on Mount Ainos is that some ranchers have fenced off the few available springs to serve their own animals.
The remaining measures are socio-economic:
- Compensation for farmers whose crops are damaged by the horses.
- Subsidy for the installation of fencing for farmers who have suffered damage from the horses.
- Change in the type of crops.
- Measures to prevent accidents. Interventions in the road network, such as:
- Warning signs.
- Bump strips to reduce speed at specific points.
- Installation of reflectors for lights.
- Clearing bushes on both sides of the roads to improve visibility.
- Awareness campaign. Among other things, through media outlets, social media, and traditional means such as informational brochures and outreach events.
It is noted that for each measure within the study, the responsible agency for its implementation is mentioned, whether in collaboration with another entity or independently.
The legislative gap and the difficulties in implementing the measures
Despite the positive approach of all local and regional authorities to find a solution, the issue seems to have somewhat stalled. Mr. Kotrokohis emphasizes that "the delay in resolving the problem with the free-roaming horses is due to the state's inability to provide a solution. Despite the commendable efforts of the Deputy Regional Governor of Kefalonia, Mr. Efstathios – Sotirios Kouris, and all the community presidents, the issue remains unresolved due to a legislative gap."
Regarding the legislative obstacle, Mr. Kotrokohis elaborates, stating that "despite the continuous efforts, the issue has 'stalled' due to a legislative regulation enacted last October." According to this regulation, the free-roaming horses do not belong to anyone, meaning there is no responsible authority for their management. Local authorities have requested an amendment to the legislation to designate a responsible agency for the horses in order to proceed with the necessary procedures and find a solution to the problem.
"At this moment, the Ministries of Environment and Agricultural Development are confused about which authority is responsible for the situation. This gap arises from the fact that they have not determined whether the horses are wild or domesticated," states Mr. Hounos.
"There is political initiative and continuous communication."
"It is particularly positive that there is active political initiative , especially from the Region and the Deputy Regional Governor Mr. Kouris, the municipality, and the Forest Service. All involved parties participated in the discussions, and communication among them remains continuous, aiming for mutual assistance and the gradual improvement of the situation. 'I want to believe that the problem will be resolved by the summer of 2025,' says Mr. Xanthakos , expressing optimism about the progress of the efforts."
"I believe that a solution will be found soon, as this issue is long-standing and urgent. We must address it, as it is one of the biggest ecological problems in the area . Our goal is to ensure the survival and preservation of the horses indefinitely, while also preventing conflicts between horses and humans," emphasizes Mr. Xanthakos .
In summary, the situation of the free-roaming horses in Kefalonia presents a complex challenge that requires immediate and coordinated action from local authorities and the state. The proposals arising from the research indicate that implementing a comprehensive management strategy is necessary to balance ecological needs with the demands of the residents.
Photo Sources:
https://kefaloniageopark.gr/node/264
https://aenosnationalpark.gr/fysiko-perivallon/ta-aloga-tou-ainou/https://aenosnationalpark.gr/fysiko-perivallon/ta-aloga-tou-ainou/
https://aenosnationalpark.gr/fysiko-perivallon/ta-aloga-tou-ainou/
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