The Northern Pindos National Park is an important habitat for a great number of species, among which many are endangered and protected by national law. The area hosts about 60 species of mammals. These include almost all the endangered mammals of Greece, such as the bear (Ursus arctos), the wolf (Canis lupus), the wild cat (Felis sylvestris), the otter (Lutra lutra), the Balkan chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica) and the roe (Capreolus capreolus) and the more common ones, such as the wild boar (Sus scrofa). Some smaller mammals that live in the National Park are: the fox (Vulpes vulpes), the badger (Meles meles), the hare (Lepus europaeus), the hedgehog (Erinaceous concolor), the squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), the marten (Martes foina), the rare European pine marten (Martes martes), and several bat species.
Among the 180 species of birds that the area hosts, the birds of prey are of great interest and particularly the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus), the golden eagle (Aguila chrysaetos), the robin (Falco peregrinus), the fish hawk (Hieraetus pennatus), the osprey (Circaetus gallicus) and the golden hawk (Falco biamicus). There is also a remarkable woodpecker presence, such as the large black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius) and the Balkan woodpecker (Dendrocopos syriacus). Furthermore, within the National Park, we come across some other important species such as the mountain partridge (Alectoris graeca), the willow tit (Parus montanus), the Wallcreeper (Tichodroma muraria), the dipper (Cinclus cinclus), the Black Stork (Ciconia nigra), the shore lark (Eremophilla alpestris), snowfinch (Montifrigilla nivalis) etc.
30 reptile species are encountered the National Park area, including 16 lizard, 10 snake and 4 turtle species. Indicatively, we note the presence of the Dalamatian Algyroides lizard (Algyroides nigropunctatus), the Japanese striped snake (Elaphe quatuorlineata) and the Spur-thighed Tortoise (Testudo graeca).
Out of the 14 amphibian species that are hosted in the area, of particular interest are the salamander (Salamandra salamandra), the Common Toad (Bufo bufo), the European green toad (Bufo viridis) and the Alpine Newt (Triturus alpestris). The latter forms small colonies in ponds and lakes, located at high altitudes, such as the Dragon lakes at Mounts Smolikas, Tymfi and Flega.
The Park’s rivers and their tributaries make an excellent habitat for 17 species of fish, among which: the pindovinos (Orhrias pindus), an endemic species, only found in Aoos River; the Albanian Roach (Pachychilon pictus), also found in Aoos River and some more common species, such as the trout (Salmo trutta), the fresh water mullet (Leuciscus cephalus vardarensis), the common nase (Chondrostoma vardarensis) and the barbel (Barbus peloponnesius).
