A round of applause
I think that peopleʼs mentality is slowly changing in a positive way. You have a chance to see this when you get away from your daily routine. Itʼs like when, being together with your child every day, you donʼt realize how theyʼve grown – someone else has to point it out in order for you to see it.
I remember the era of the 70s and 80s, when we first descended on the turtle beaches, wishing we had eyes in the back of our heads because we were followed and threatened by the presumable “aggrieved” ones.
In mid-August 2011, Dimitris and I had come to Koroni beach, which has been under the care of ARCHELON for 6-7 years, on our vacation. During my afternoon swim, I saw four young people walking along the back end of the beach and one swimmer get up to offer them a beach mat. Immediately interested, I looked and saw that they were wearing ARCHELON Volunteer T-shirts.
They headed for a marked nest and started to excavate it with a noticeable professionalism. Gradually, people on the beach approached them. Fortunately, one of the ʽturtle peopleʼ was able to give the right answers to the onlookersʼ legitimate questions because an excavation is something impressive but not altogether pleasant for the uninitiated.
When they had finished collecting data relating to the nest, which had been made in mid-June, they counted empty eggshells from turtles which had hatched and left, dead embryos, unfertilized eggs, etc., photographed the contents, and then put everything back into the nest and covered it with sand.
And then the fantastic happened: One of the onlookers said in a loud voice, ʽNow we should thank all these people who work without being paid so that we – here in our country – can have beautiful beaches and a clean environment,ʼ and everyone there applauded.
The same night, an old friend from Koroni was a member of our company. Dimitris, noting the classical musical concert taking place at the castle, commented that there was a high ʽspiritualʼ level at Koroni. And the Koroni local replied, ʽBut of course – we have ARCHELON here.ʼ
The purely Mediterranean ARCHELON team in Koroni (Italians, Spaniards and Greeks) under the direction of Viki Doulou, gave me the impression that they work seriously, and have a good relationship – both within the team and with the public, as we saw from the incident just mentioned.
I feel that these groups of ʽturtle peopleʼ scattered throughout Greece are like stars in the sky. They emit light and collect energy from all parts of the world, and I hope they long continue. They are our hope for a better future. We owe them a great deal of thanks.
Anna K-M 24/8/11
Translation by Joanne Stournara
Tragic events at the Koroni Caretta caretta nesting beach
NO! to the Youth Beach Festival on the Caretta caretta nesting beach organized by the Phaistos Municipality and the Crete regional authorities for 12 August
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS18/12/2024
An injured Loggerhead sea turtle returns to the ARCHELON Rescue Centre with plastics in its digestive system.
Greece has made progress in cutting down on plastic bag use, but we all need to do more. Sea pollution from plastic is still a major threat, harming both people and marine life.
- OUR NEWS06/12/2024
ARCHELON is on the Frontline of Sea Turtle Rescue in the Mediterranean.
For the first time, we have conducted CT scans for accurate diagnoses and started special blood tests and ultrasounds to monitor the health of sea turtles under our care.
- OUR NEWS03/12/2024
Summer 2025: Lead the Way in Sea Turtle Conservation and become a Field Leader with ARCHELON!
A limited number of experienced and capable volunteers are selected each year for the positions of Field Leaders on the ARCHELON projects. Applications and short CVs for 2025 are now accepted!
- OUR NEWS25/11/2024
Make this gift-giving season more magical: Adopt a Sea Turtle for your loved ones!
Whether it's for the wildlife lover in your life, or someone who cares about the planet, an adoption from ARCHELON is a present that keeps on giving.
- OUR NEWS18/11/2024
A Nest of Hope: Keanu's Journey with ARCHELON
Keanu Groeneveld, a Wildlife Management student from the Netherlands, recently completed an internship with ARCHELON at the Sea Turtle Conservation Project in Rethymno, Crete. His experience was more than ever expected; it was a transformative journey that ignited his passion for wildlife conservation.
- OUR NEWS12/11/2024
Turtle protection through satellite trackers: TUI Care Foundation and conservation organisation ARCHELON release sea turtle in Greece
Triton was released back into the Mediterranean Sea with a satellite transmitter after several months of rehabilitation at ARCHELON's Sea Turtle Rescue Centre. As part of the TUI Turtle Aid programme, the initiative aims to contribute valuable insights into sea turtle behaviour.
- OUR NEWS11/11/2024
A very exciting nesting record confirms the recovery of the Loggerhead population breeding in Kyparissia Bay, Greece!
This year, ARCHELON has recorded a new nesting record: 6,700 Loggerhead nests in the core nesting area of Kyparissia Bay.
- OUR NEWS28/10/2024
A wildlife symbol turned into a macabre tourist attraction
Αn embalmed Loggerhead sea turtle was found on public display in front of one of the Kastos island’s taverns.
- OUR NEWS23/10/2024
Growing Beyond Boundaries: A Volunteer's Transformation
“Through volunteering in Chania, I was able to go beyond my limits and discover a new world,” says Hyerim Ryu, explaining her motivation and sharing her experience of 5 weeks volunteering with ARCHELON.
- OUR NEWS18/10/2024
Is there any progress on establishing an all-embracing Marine Park in the Ionian Sea?
We are awaiting the results of the study with great interest, as the establishment of the new Marine Park in the Ionian Sea will be a landmark for the protection of sea turtles in the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS16/10/2024
Greece's Marine Protected Areas remain unprotected
A new report, by nine environmental organizations, identifies serious deficiencies in the protection of the most important Greek marine habitats, stressing the urgent need for immediate action
- OUR NEWS14/10/2024
2025 Projects: Is it your turn to save the sea turtles?
ARCHELON is thrilled to announce the volunteering projects for 2025. If you're passionate about nature conservation and eager to make a positive impact, we invite you to join our dedicated team of volunteers.
- OUR NEWS30/09/2024
Reunite with Your Passion: Become an ARCHELON Ambassador!
Are you passionate about sea turtle conservation and want to make a positive impact on their survival? Becoming an ARCHELON ambassador is a fantastic way to contribute to this important cause.
- OUR NEWS27/09/2024
Transforming Rethymno: Sustainable tourism opportunities with the sea turtle as ambassador
With sea turtles as its ambassadors, Rethymno has the opportunity to become a global leader in sustainable tourism. By offering responsible ecotourism experiences, the tourism industry can create a legion of passionate advocates for ocean conservation.
- OUR NEWS18/09/2024
Counting the Loggerhead nests in Zakynthos - the work of an army of ants
For the past 41+ years, ARCHELON has been counting annually nests laid by loggerhead turtles on the island of Zakynthos, one of most important nesting areas in the Mediterranean.