A happy ending to “Artemis” story, the time has come for her release!
“Artemis” was seen swimming weak around Farmakonisi on 28 January 2016. But when the waves and wind drifted her very close to the shore, the staff of the Coast Guard decided to rescue her and transfer her to Leros on a boat that carried refugees. There, she was treated by the vet Mr. Kontrafouris and two days later, after consulting with ARCHELON, “Artemis”, with the contribution of AEGEAN, traveled gratis by airplane to Athens.
With carapace length of 56 cm and 49 kilos of weight, “Artemis” had a trauma on the carapace and was diagnosed with pneumonia. The people of AEGEAN showed undiminished interest in her health, and the company took over all care and costs that occurred during hospitalization. After two months of treatment, she already showed the first signs of improvement and started feeding on her own, without esophageal catheter.
Today, almost four months later, she has fully recovered and is ready to return to the sea!
She will be released where she was found, in the far-off island of Leros, in the Eastern Aegean! “Artemis”, escorted by the Rescue Network Coordinator of ARCHELON will “fly” with AEGEAN’s wings to Leros on Friday 3rd June 2016, at 06:20 a.m. and she will be released the same day.
22 sea turtles are still under treatment at the Rescue Center, in order to regain their health and be set free as soon as possible. We need the support of anyone that can offer assistance in any kind, financial support or their free time, in order to help continue our difficult work.
Information: Pavlos Tsaros - Rescue Network Coordinator, tel.: 210 8944444, 6941 511 511.
Translation: Kourgiouni-Avgerinou Christina
How good does 2016 promise to be for sea turtles in Crete?
First nest of the Sea Turtles of Crete today, the World Turtle Day
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