Animals
National Animal
The Lion“A lion is not a possession; it’s a sentient being”
Kevin Richardson
Animals commonly seen in the wild
Marine fauna:
Dolphins, sea turtles, sturgeons, dog fish, salmon, trout.
Birds:
Pelicans, vultures, storks.
Land mammals:
Bears, wolves, foxes, rabbits, wild horses, boars, hedgehogs.
Snakes and insects:
Vipers, legless lizards, copper skink, butterflies, moths, spiders.
Common sights you will not like
In the city and on the road
Bears are tied up to chains and dancing to accordion music for entertainment. Chickens often seen in tiny cages on the sidewalks. Stray cats and dogs on the streets. Violence towards animals is quite common.
In theCountryside
On the first day of Lent there is an old ritual that is still performed in some regions named the “dog spinning” whereby a dog, usually after being beaten, gets tied to a twisted suspended rope above water and set to spin rapidly, until the rope unwinds and dog falls into the water.
Hunting or poaching:
Legal with licence and in the right seasons. Animals commonly hunted are deer, boars and partridges.
Animal fights:
Illegal but common and not penalized enough. Usually dog fights.
We have not included the treatment of animals in the meat/fur/leather industries, zoos or circuses, animal testing as it unfortunately still happens in most countries.
