Two lions and a tiger were discovered in small cages on a lorry at the Greek border. Credit: ERT
Greek customs officers discovered two lions and a tiger inside small cages at Promachonas on the borders of Bulgaria, whose ultimate destination was the cosmopolitan island of Mykonos.
According to public TV ERT, the wild animals were transported on a lorry from the Czech Republic. The officers apparently allowed the lorry to cross into Greece after documents were shown proving the legal possession of the animals.
Until Tuesday morning it has not been made known who is the owner of the lions and the tiger, or why they are being transported to Mykonos.
Animal welfare groups have condemned the customs officers for allowing the transport in small cages and called for the immediate intervention of the Greek prosecution service.
Is someone opening a zoo with lions in Mykonos?
The president of the Panhellenic Animal Welfare and Environmental Federation, Natasa Bombolaki, pointed out that this is animal abuse regardless of whether there are legal ownership documents.
“What do wild animals have to do with Mykonos? For entertainment or is someone planning to open a zoo?”
Mykonos has seen its share of excesses and extravagances in the past.
In 2017, camels were where brought to the island as part of the production for a high-profile live show headlined by Greek singer Antonis Remos.
At the popular Psarou beach, tourists have been in awe of the magnificent animals and have not stopped taking photos.
