A wildlife symbol turned into a macabre tourist attraction
A few kilometers away from Lefkada lies the relatively unknown Kastos, a tiny island included in the protected area of the Inner Ionian Archipelago (NATURA 2000). This area is particularly important for the protected marine mammals of the Mediterranean. We were to learn more about it this summer, when a visiting environmentalist made a heartbreaking report to ARCHELON: an embalmed Loggerhead sea turtle was found on public display in front of one of the island’s taverns. The embalmed animal still bears the special tags with which it was marked by ARCHELON researchers during the recording of its nesting in Zakynthos in 2008. Unfortunately, the death of the animal must have come some time later, but was never reported to the authorities and the prescribed sanitary burial was never carried out. Instead, the animal was embalmed and used as a tourist attraction.
Sea turtles are protected animals under both Greek and international law. Specifically, under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES, 1973), trading and trafficking of alive or embalmed specimens is strictly prohibited. These provisions are known to taxidermists around the world and today animal taxidermy is rare and is done mainly for the study of specimens in zoological museums. The incident in Kastos was a stark reminder of the ongoing threats facing protected species and the constant need for raising public awareness to avoid violations of these regulations.
Upon learning of the situation, ARCHELON immediately notified the competent authorities and urged them to confiscate the embalmed animal and ensure that such a disturbing display does not happen again. Fortunately, the Authorities moved quickly to confiscate the speciment with the consent of the tavern’s owners. This incident highlights the importance of raising public awareness and spreading a sense of respect for marine life.
For instructions on what to do if you come across a dead sea turtle on the Greek coastline see here.
A very exciting nesting record confirms the recovery of the Loggerhead population breeding in Kyparissia Bay, Greece!
Growing Beyond Boundaries: A Volunteer's Transformation
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS31/07/2025
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- OUR NEWS25/07/2025
New Info Station in Kyparissia Opens for LIFE MareNatura Project
Located at the beachfront of the town, the Info Station operates daily 18:30 - 21:00.
- OUR NEWS21/07/2025
Public Excavations of Sea Turtle Nests in Crete
The excavations are open for both kids and adults and take place on the nesting beaches of Rethymno, Chania, and the Messara Bay during the months of August and September.
- OUR NEWS21/07/2025
Public Excavations of Sea Turtle Nests in the Peloponnese
The excavations are open for both kids and adults and take place on the nesting beaches of Kyparissia Bay, Romanos, Koroni and Lakonikos Bay during the months of August and September.
- OUR NEWS16/07/2025
Earlier than ever before was the start of the 2025 Hatching Season of Loggerheads in Greece – The first hatchlings have reached the sea!
We are excited to announce the beginning of the 2025 sea turtle hatching season, with the earliest hatching event ever recorded since monitoring began in 1984.
- OUR NEWS15/07/2025
Important presentations at the 16th International Congress on the Zoogeography and Ecology of Greece and Adjacent Regions (ICZEGAR)
ARCHELON actively contributed to the Congress with three oral presentations, highlighting key aspects of its scientific and conservation work for sea turtles.
- OUR NEWS02/07/2025
Citizen Science: Recording of Sporadic Nesting of Sea turtles across the Aegean
For over four decades, many people have been reporting turtle sightings and tracks across the Greek coastline. Thanks to them, we have confirmed 577 unique nesting events outside our regularly monitored areas
- OUR NEWS01/07/2025
Satellite Tagging Completed and Captured on Film in Crete
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- OUR NEWS23/06/2025
Enjoy the Beaches Responsibly: Together We Protect the Sea Turtles of Kyparissia Bay!
So far, more than 2,000 nests have been recorded in the area. In order to best manage the protected beaches, we have adapted our field work protocols.
- OUR NEWS16/06/2025
World Sea Turtle Day: We can all live together!
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- OUR NEWS08/06/2025
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- OUR NEWS06/06/2025
Sekania: History of the most precious refuge for the Loggerhead in Zakynthos
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- OUR NEWS05/06/2025
World Environment Day: Keeping Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches Safe from Plastics and Bulldozers
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- OUR NEWS02/06/2025
Sea Turtles Return to Crete: A Shared Victory for Nature and Sustainable Travel
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