New pelican joins Paphos harbor icon

The iconic Paphos harbor in Cyprus has welcomed a new resident, a young male pelican named Chris, who is now accompanying the famous resident pelican known as Kokos. Andros Papiris, the owner of the Pelican Restaurant, confirmed that the younger bird is currently undergoing an acclimation process, spending a few hours at the harbor daily to adjust to his new environment under the guidance of the experienced Kokos.

This tradition dates back to 1967, when local fishermen rescued an injured pelican and brought it to a restaurant formerly named Afroditi. The bird stayed, becoming a beloved local symbol. In 1969, the restaurant was renamed Pelican in honor of the animal. Following the death of the original Kokos in 1972 after a road accident, the restaurant owners continued the tradition by naming subsequent pelicans Kokos, despite the original bird being female. The arrival of Chris has generated significant interest among tourists visiting the historic harbor.