A turtle we treated 10 years ago was found in Spain!
“Castello” is a male Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) that was brought to the ARCHELON Rescue Centre on May 31, 2014 from Antirio, with a serious head injury. After 380 days of care, he was deemed ready to return to the wild and was released on June 15, 2015 from Palaia Fokaia, along with two identification tags.
On December 29, 2025, after 3,850 days (10.5 years!), Castello was found in the Balearic Sea and transferred to the CRAM Rescue Center in Barcelona. During the examination, it was found that he had a hook in his mouth, as well as an old, healed wound on his lower jaw. Importantly, both identification tags remained in place, allowing direct communication between the two Rehabilitation Centers and information on the turtle’s history.
The distance traveled by Castello from Greece to Spain is estimated at approximately 2,100 kilometers (as the crow flies) and is the longest distance recorded for a rehabilitated turtle from ARCHELON’s Rescue Centre. Previous records included turtle recoveries in Cyprus (~970 km) and Israel (~1,200 km).
Castello’s story confirms that sea turtles released from our Rescue Centre are fully rehabilitated, capable of undertaking large migrations and continue to fulfill their critical ecological role in the Mediterranean.
Adopt a turtle currently under treatment and help it return to the sea!
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RECENT NEWS
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The first nests of the loggerhead sea turtle for 2026 have been found in Kyparissia Bay and in Zakynthos.
- OUR NEWS07/05/2026
ARCHELON’s Sea Turtle Tours presented in a Japanese Seminar for Sustainable Tourism
ur Sea Turtle Tours recently featured as a highlight in the Sustainable Tourism International Talk Sessions, organized by the Japan Alliance of Responsible Travel Agencies.
- OUR NEWS04/05/2026
Kids Turtle Festival 2026 "In Deep Water"
The ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre opens its doors on World Turtle Day, May 23, and invites young and old to this year’s Kids Turtle Festival 2026 “In Deep Water”.
- OUR NEWS30/04/2026
Sea Turtle Beach Walk in Crete: A unique eco-tourism experience
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- OUR NEWS18/04/2026
How a sea turtle illuminated the unknown paths of the Aegean
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- OUR NEWS17/04/2026
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For decades, one quote has defined the struggle of sea turtle conservation: 1 in 1,000. This statistical information suggests that for every thousand hatchlings that enter the sea, only one will survive the long journey to adulthood.
- OUR NEWS10/04/2026
ARCHELON takes part in Chania's “Move It Now” initiative
Through educational activities, games and discussions, students had the opportunity to understand that every "green" choice in our daily lives is a direct help to the environment.
- OUR NEWS09/04/2026
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Looking towards the upcoming nesting season, the tourism community of Chania gathered at the city’s Town Hall.
- OUR NEWS08/04/2026
The Return of the “Giant”: Everest Swims Again in Greek Seas After Two Years of Rehabilitation
The story of 'Everest' began in May 2024 in Preveza, when the sea turtle was found with a severe, intentional head injury. Upon arrival at the Rescue Centre, its condition was critical: malnourished, weighing just 81 kg, and suffering from serious buoyancy problems that made survival in the sea impossible.
- OUR NEWS07/04/2026
Through the dust: Rethymno looks for a sustainable future with the sea turtles
Neither the African dust nor the sandstorm of last Wednesday stood in the way of ARCHELON's event at the Rethymno City Hall!
- OUR NEWS02/04/2026
Volunteering Has Never Been More Attractive: Special offers for 2026
ARCHELON invites you to join its field projects and actively protect sea turtles and their habitats.
- OUR NEWS09/03/2026
The Annual General Assembly of the Association
ARCHELON's Members were invited to attend the Annual General Assembly on Saturday, February 28 at the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre.
- OUR NEWS03/03/2026
Join us for the Online Presentation of 2025 Results!
On Monday, March 23rd, we have the chance to meet again online and share what we accomplished together in the past year.
- OUR NEWS03/03/2026
A Digital Adventure for Your Class with ARCHELON
Through a live connection with the Centre, students learn about the turtles’ rescue stories and discover how everyday human activities can negatively impact marine ecosystems.
- OUR NEWS24/02/2026
32 Years Returning to Nest: A Record Reproductive Lifespan for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle in Kyparissia Bay
When we analyzed the turtles’ codes, we realized that this was a turtle that had been tagged for the first time in the area 32 years ago! Specifically, turtle P4849 was tagged on July 7, 1993 and today is the turtle with the longest documented reproductive lifespan in Kyparissia Bay!