One of the major symbols of the legendary island of Mykonos was Petros the Pelican. The big bird was rescued by a local fisherman in the middle of the 1050’s and has been the mascot of the island ever since. Petros was so popular that his fame crossed the borders of Mykonos and it seems that many were jealous of its glory. mykonos villas with private pool Many said that in 1958 Petros was in Tinos, others claimed that he was abducted by the Tinians to make him their own while others claimed that he himself flew to the neighboring island. The truth perhaps will never be known. However, this incident would nearly have created a conflict between Mykonos and Tinos, if the pelican had not returned to its base. Eventually, he returned and the spirits calmed down. In the following years Petros enjoyed the care and love of the people of Mykonos, but also the publicity, since he was now a real star!
It was December 1985 when Petros the Pelican passed away. A month ago he was accidentally dragged and hit by a car. The death of Petros the 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. Jackie Kennedy, moved by his death in 1986, rushed to replace him, bringing to Mykonos the new female pelican named Irene. The Hamburg Zoo also donated to the island, Peter II, who officially succeeded the previous one to his "throne" in Mykonos.
Image Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/207736262
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