A leading wildlife protection agency has called for better safety measures at open-air water tanks after a deer that had been trapped in one needed to be rescued in northern Greece.
The Callisto organisation said Monday that similar installations also pose a major threat to brown bears that descend into them to drink water and then can't climb out up the vertical, slippery concrete sides.
A Callisto statement said that the roe deer was extracted with the help of a sling and a makeshift crane at the end of July in the Lake Prespa area, but urged better safety measures.
"The animal was exhausted and likely injured, and was unable to get out," it said.
"This incident highlights the severe danger open-air water tanks pose to wildlife, as the absence of secure escape points can turn them into traps for animals such as roe deer and bears ... that try to drink water, which often leads to their death."
