The word "MykonosBrings to mind: fun, holidays, beaches, cosmopolitan island, celebrities and Peter the Pelican. Because it is possible that various stars of domestic and international showbiz have walked in the beautiful and cosmopolitan Cycladic island and will continue to walk in its alleys, but in reality one was the real star of Mykonos, Petros the pelican.
The rose pelican, which for many years was the mascot of the island, was truly loved by locals and tourists and left its mark since to this day it is remembered as if it never passed away. Peter, who had a moving story, lived for an estimated 33 years, was rescued in the mid-50s by a fisherman, and died in 1985, spreading grief.
It is estimated that Petros was born around 1952. On October 16, 1955, a local fisherman, Captain Antonis Charitopoulos, found him almost dead at sea. She picked him up and took him to the island. The inhabitants of Mykonos are said to have been surprised because it was the first time they saw such a creature. The huge bird, rose pelican he had probably lost his way during his migration.
The fisherman Thodoris Kyrantonis decided to treat him, giving him the name "Petros" in honor of Captain Petros Drakopoulos who had lost his life during World War II. After the pelican recovered, it remained on the island and in time "naturalized" a permanent resident of Mykonos. And his fellow villagers soon came to love him, along with the tourists.
In fact, Eleni Vlachou had written about Petros in her book "Snapshots", where among other things she explained that when he was exhausted and dying he was lucky in his misfortune, after he was found by the good fisherman, who had special love and understanding with the animals.
The fisherman Thodoris took care of it and slowly turned it into a winged dog! In the process, Petros proved that he was born in Mykonos as he had this cosmopolitan air, while he was very sociable with people. So much so that he had no problem when they went to caress him or stand next to him to be photographed with him.
After all, we said she was the mascot of the island.
The popularity of the pelican soon crossed the "borders" of the island and it seems that many were jealous of its glory. It is said, then, that in 1958 Petros was in Tinos. Others claimed that he was abducted by the Tinians to make him their own and others that he himself flew to the neighboring island.
What is the truth, probably no one knows. However, as we read, this fact almost created a ανάμεσα conflict between Mykonos and Tinos, if the pelican did not return to its base. Eventually, he returned, the spirits calmed down and in the following years Petros enjoyed the care and love of the people of Mykonos, but also the publicity, since now he was also a real star!
It was December 1985 when Peter the Pelican (the first since others will follow) passed away. A month ago, he was accidentally dragged and hit by a car.
Peter had crawled under the wheels of the car and was taking his nap. The driver, who had not seen him, pushed him forward and hit him severely. He was airlifted and seriously injured Thessaloniki, Greece, where it ended up. According to the death certificate he was about 33 years old. The body of the pelican was embalmed in Thessaloniki after an order from the Municipality of Mykonos, while it is exhibited in the folklore museum of the island.
The death of Peter I (because others with the same name followed) spread grief on the island. Locals and tourists mourned its glorious end. However, his demise also moved celebrities who had met him during their visit to the island.
Η Fireplace Kennedy, moved by his untimely demise in 1986, hastened to replace him, bringing to Mykonos the newly cut pelican - female - named Irene. The Hamburg Zoo also donated to the island, Peter II, who officially succeeded the previous one on his "throne" in Mykonos.
And so, the locals found themselves with two birds, giving them characteristics of kinship. Thus, Irene officially became Peter's cousin.
A few years later, in 1995, another young man from the pelican family was wounded on the island. After receiving the appropriate treatments, he also became a resident of Mykonos. Nicholas, as he was baptized, did not take long to become a Mykonos native in a very short time.
Then followed other pelicans circulating on the island. And all the tourists call them "Petros". Besides, this name is now beloved and famous, directly connected with the cosmopolitan Mykonos.