Release of Monk Seal Victoria from Steni Vala on 2nd February 2008

We had a phone call from John and Val at Steni Vala to say that there was to be a "big do" there from 11am onwards to celebrate the release of the Monk Seal pup.  We contacted everyone and on Saturday morning headed off to Steni Vala for the big event around 10.15am.  There were already a load of cars parked down the road to the harbour but we managed to find a spot behind James and Victoria (how appropriate) who live behind us.

The front of Tasia's taverna had been laid with tables including one long line of tables for the MoM people who were having a buffet lunch after the event.  We said hello to everyone then headed off to the enclosure at the back of the beach where Victoria had been reared and was swimming around in her own pool.  Dave managed to get a picture of her through the glass as she swam up and down, oblivious to the events that were about to unfold.  Chatting to one of the MoM staff she said that Victoria had been found as a new born pup around the island of Tinos (in the Cyclades) and had been transported to Alonissos to be raised and then released into the Marine Park.

One of the MoM staff handed out badges on the harbour front before we were all invited inside Tasia's where a presentation was given about the release.  All in Greek, but even though we didn't really understand what was going on we felt privileged to be involved in such an event.  There were three different speakers who gave short speeches before a computer based presentation was shown of the release of the last Monk Seal pup Dimitri.  After the presentation we were invited to go to the edge of the veranda to see Victoria loaded on the boat for her final journey to the Marine Park.