by Geoff » 25 Aug 2006, 15:29
Interesting views Gillinoz ; Oz humour ??
There are indeed many stupid, accidental and purposeful, introductions of non native animals and plants that today cause so many problems - Cane toads to Australia, Japanese knot weed ..... I totally agree that cats dining and breeding in numbers on rightly or wrongly high availability summer waste, can make terrible and lt;local and gt; problems come winter.
Personally, Im very thankful and suportive of the charities who neuter as this has got to be the solution, combined with, most importantly proper local food waste disposal and targeted feeding when the food supply is totally cut off, summer and winter. Excess cats could be easily controlled, without sufferings. Ive just seen this in London with our introduction of sealed wheely bins verses a seriously growning urban fox problem, all be it the foxes have moved on elsewhere.....
However, Im very sorry I absolutely DONT agree with your view to enjoy the culture and let the locals deal with whatever unacceptable sights we may see during our 2 weeks holiday - and that we should just accept. ! IT has NOTHING to do with imposing our wills and making all counties the same.
Have you ever visited rural Africa - your view would close many charities who do really good work ... of course we can (and do) judge what we see from our own prespective - and we can act apon it. Inded , one of our UK jokes is along the line of a (US) tourist who takes a picture of a starving kid in Africa - back home his friend asks, what did you give him ? ... reply - ho F8 exposure at 100th of a second !
Now Im NOT suggesting that Symi cannot look after its own problems and it certainly does not need outside help, esp to feed a horse. But I hope Ive made my point.
BUT to start any ball rolling someone with some knowledge (of horses in this case) needed to highlight a problem. Then it can be dealt with locally by local caring people, occasionally with outside help eg a vet.
We Tourists do and will always have an impact (for good or bad). Its actually mainly money related in my view. No one wants to see, in the lovely surrounds of Symi, suffering or neglect that they would find unacceptable at home. That should be a courner stone of any tourist related industry. The Donkeys on Rhodes in the major tourist attractions are fit and well fed - due to good business sense by the owners but also due to the tourists view of not paying to ride on "our view" of underfed animals and local officials seeking to aid visitors, not deal with their complaints.
Greece is in the EU and has EU standards - its NOT a third world country and they should be upset with your comment that implys they have lower standards than the rest of the EU.
Personally im not on a crusade here, but would just appreciate any help local people can give now a problems been highlighted.
thanks
PS Im still working on posting a picture but Im committed this weekend to the Edenbridge and Oxted Agri show so its likely to be next week, unless Symi Visitor can help post an email attachment.....