Release of Monk Seal Nefeli from Steni Vala on 30th January 2010

Due to the early time of the year for releasing Nefeli and problems with the weather there was some uncertainty as to the release date up until a couple of weeks before the actual day.  We were told that things would start around 10.30am so Dave headed down to Steni Vala around 10am.  As usual in Greece things were running late and nothing started until after 11am.  There were two boats already moored in the harbour with the small RIB to take her to the large Coast Guard boat, which was to be her transport into the Marine Park.

Nefeli was still in the Rehabilitation Centre which had a poster on the side wall of the building.  It is always a problem getting a photograph from the outside due to reflection from the glass but if you look carefully you can just about see Nefeli in the back of the tank.  Outside on the path was the blue cage that is used to transport the seals along the harbour to the boat.

Tasia's taverna had again been used to set up a presentation area with posters, a computer slide show and a table covered in badges.  Instead of going to the presentation Dave sat on the wall near the Rehabilitation Centre.  There was a lot of activity and Nefeli kicked up a lot of fuss before she was eventually taken from the tank and put in the cage to be taken to the boat.  After the carrying rods had been fitted to the cage a group of people picked up the cage and carried Nefeli around to the waiting boats at the harbour.