The Association for Protection of Animals Algarve (APAA) long-standing in the community faces change on a regular basis.

Jenny Clarke their President, has seen a lot of these changes large and small. “We’ve always managed to get through the major and minor stuff, it’s an attitude, I suppose.” Just keep plodding on. “My work as President has taken me to the back and beyond. I have noticed changes, near and far. Some pleasing others, well frankly a disaster.”

The Algarve has many visitors, some long-term, others on holiday just wanting to chill-out. “I had noticed the return of the safari-jeeps.” Jenny laughs. “Bringing the countryside, I guess to the tourist a friendly way to meet people too.” Often stopping off to slake their thirst at the local watering hole. “Our local is always pleased to have the extra business. Some of the regular visitors have noticed a difference in the countryside, solar-farms growing at an appalling rate.”There is an underlying concern of the impact. “Our fires when they get out of hand need human intervention, by our brave ‘bombeiros’.

Credits: Supplied Image;

The Algarve relying on sensible land-management, cleaning and preparing for the worst. Hills with forestation and shrub-land, help with the ever-changing winds. “The intensive de-forestation for solar-farms has robbed us of our natural beauty, wildlife and protection.” Most of these farms are owned by Spanish firms and Algarveans will not see the practical-socio-economic benefits. The reverse. ‘For Sale’ signs are sprouting around.

“Moving out and dumping animals the consequences are frightening.” Squashed hedgehogs are more common. Derelict areas uninhabitable, causing birds and wildlife to seek alternative refuge. “Our cat-colonies, whether they are contrived by humans, or naturally colonised by the feral felines themselves are in trouble. Free-roaming dogs, for instance, not entirely legal or desirable but now, at a different danger-level with larger open spaces. Speeding traffic.”

Truly a cycle that is spinning out of control. Jenny and her colleagues are worried many live in the country areas, where they feel at ‘one’ with the world they live in. “Where there were wide open natural spaces with trees and hedges, to protect our wildlife, we now have wire and fencing to protect the solar-farms.” From what or whom?

Ferragudo Car-boot sale every 2nd Sunday of the month 8-12. ‘O Tasco’ 16/06 12-3pm (Monday Chicken piri-piri day) Final Pop-Up before autumn. Charity shops at Alvor and Silves. Pop-In and buy. Clothing. Bedding. Books. Jewellery. Gifts. Take in your unwanted presents, household items especially man-cave stuff.. Jackie’s Cookies, Jenny’s Jams, Pickles, Marmalades: ‘Pop-Up’ and Charity shops. Not Car-boot sales.

Contacts: info.apaaportugal@gmail.com