IERS

Institute of Ecological and Religious Studies
Search

A favorite of the guests of the Volunteer Center

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
WhatsApp

People have feared owls of Minerva since ancient times, believing them to be bearers of bad luck. Fortunately, this superstition is slowly dying out. Eco-activists from the Berehovo volunteer center “Everybody Can Help,” who care for the injured owl named Arkady, are helping to debunk such superstitions.

This owl arrived at the center as an owlet from Uzhhorod (Chervenytsi district). Fr. Antoniy discovered it and sought advice from UzhNU biology professors. Experts advised that the bird be released back into the wild.

Yevgeniy Man, a bird lover, discovered an old fracture of the humerus while releasing an owl. With such injuries in nature, birds cannot survive, so the owlet was taken into the care of eco-activists of the Volunteer Center “Everyone can help”.

Owl fans frequently visit Arkadij, bringing goodies (rodents) with them. Guests are introduced to the biological characteristics of an owl as well as the biodiversity of birds in Transcarpathia during such excursions.

Visitors listen to ornithologist Leonid Pokrytyuk’s lectures and learn about animal life at information stands. Guests are frequently captivated by unusual facts about the center’s residents. For example, at one of the most recent events in which IDP children participated, Mr. Leonid discussed the world’s attitude toward owl of Minerva:

• This bird was a companion of the goddess Athena in Greek mythology. It is still a symbol of the Greek city of Athens.

• It is known as “baigush” – “beggar” in Kazakh. The owl is said to beg for alms with tearful cries.

• In the Netherlands, the image of an owl has been a watermark on the 100 guilder note since 1992.

The event was held within the framework of cooperation between the Institute of Ecological and Religious Studies- IERS (headed by Alexander Bokotey) and the Nature Conservation Union of Germany (NABU BundesverbandNABU International), project coordinators –  Ivan Tymofeiev (NABU), Nataliya Kulya (IERS).

Informational Service of IERS

Leave a Reply

More to explorer

Berehovo gymnasium students learn to watch birds

Students from the “Opre Roma” gymnasium in Berehovo, including Roma children, recently visited the “Everyone Can Help” volunteer center for an educational excursion. Their goal was to explore the world of bird observation and learn about different bird nest structures and feeders. Leonid Pokrytyuk, an experienced ornithologist at the Institute of Ecological and Religious Studies led them on this journey.

Fifth-graders of Rativtsi Gymnasium took part in the quest “Find Primroses”

Krystyna Solanska, a teacher at Rativtsi Gymnasium and an eco-activist of the Institute of Ecological and Religious Studies (IERS), organized a search quest named “Find the Primroses” for 5th-grade students who learn in Hungarian. This activity aimed for the students to identify the first spring flowers in the school yard and nearby fields, and to practice saying their names in Ukrainian, English, and Hungarian.

Berehovo gymnasium students learn to watch birds

Students from the “Opre Roma” gymnasium in Berehovo, including Roma children, recently visited the “Everyone Can Help” volunteer center for an educational excursion. Their goal was to explore the world of bird observation and learn about different bird nest structures and feeders. Leonid Pokrytyuk, an experienced ornithologist at the Institute of Ecological and Religious Studies led them on this journey.

Fifth-graders of Rativtsi Gymnasium took part in the quest “Find Primroses”

Krystyna Solanska, a teacher at Rativtsi Gymnasium and an eco-activist of the Institute of Ecological and Religious Studies (IERS), organized a search quest named “Find the Primroses” for 5th-grade students who learn in Hungarian. This activity aimed for the students to identify the first spring flowers in the school yard and nearby fields, and to practice saying their names in Ukrainian, English, and Hungarian.