ARCHELON and Strandings
When a stranding is reported to the ARCHELON Zakynthos team, the response is as quick as possible. The information we receive about the turtle, including location, size and whether it is deceased or alive, is usually very vague. It is important to respond rapidly due to this ambiguity; sometimes deceased turtles are reported as alive as the motion of the waves makes them appear to be moving their flippers. Similarly, injured turtles may be very weak and not move much at all and hence might seem lifeless. Hence the first thing the stranding team does when it locates a turtle is assess its condition.
In the case of deceased turtles, the priorities are to determine the cause of death, to record data such as measurements (which aid with ageing and sexing turtles) and finally to safely dispose of the carcass. Clues such as external injuries, bleeding or extruding fishing line may help to conclude why the individual died. Some of the most common causes of injury/death to turtles are propeller strikes, intentional, malicious head injuries and fishing line/hook ingestion. Several turtles have also been found entangled in fishing line, which can constrict the blood flow to flippers and may eventually cause it to die and start decomposing. It is important to stress that in Zakynthos, local fishermen are well informed and ARCHELON maintains a good relationship with them. Sadly this is not the case all over Greece and so some see Sea Turtles as a nuisance. A stranding database is maintained to monitor what the biggest threats are so that these can be tackled accordingly.
The Rescue Centre was established in 1994 in cooperation with the municipality of Glyfada and since then has successfully rehabilitated and released approximately 70% of all sea turtles that have been sent there. Treatment may include x-rays, medication, operations, feeding and observation. As a part of ARCHELON, the work in the Rescue Centre is completely funded by donations and our adoption programme. It is possible to sponsor the treatment of injured sea turtles currently receiving care at the Rescue Centre. Further details can be found at www.archelon.gr.
Dionysis Arvanitakis Zakynthos programme Coordinator
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Joanne, whatʼs new at the Rescue Centre (September 2015)?
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS17/04/2025
Special 2-week volunteering opportunity on the nesting beaches – we need you this May and June!
- OUR NEWS14/04/2025
Groundbreaking Study on Microplastic Pollution of Marine Turtle Nesting Beaches
ARCHELON took part in a recent global study that has uncovered alarming levels of microplastic contamination on marine turtle nesting beaches around the world.
- OUR NEWS09/04/2025
Become a Sea Turtle Guardian in Lakonikos Bay
Gracie and Claire, two dedicated individuals who made a significant impact on the sea turtle project of Lakonikos Bay in 2024, talked about their experience.
- OUR NEWS08/04/2025
Meeting of organizations, authorities and businessmen in Rethymno: Crete is preparing for the arrival of the turtles!
On Monday, April 7, we met for another year in the hospitable city of Rethymno to participate in the meeting organized by the Regional Unit of Rethymno on the topic of management measures for the protection of the loggerhead sea turtle!
- OUR NEWS31/03/2025
150 satellite tags for the protection of sea turtles
Since 2002, ARCHELON and its partners have placed 150 satellite and GSM tags on sea turtles monitoring their vast journeys across the Mediterranean!
- OUR NEWS24/03/2025
Become a Guardian of the Night: Volunteer with ARCHELON
On some select beaches, volunteer duties also include night patrols. During the hours when the presence of people on the nesting beaches is prohibited so as not to disturb the turtles, our trained volunteers start their shift, equipped with measuring instruments, research notebooks and red flashlights.
- OUR NEWS14/03/2025
Enriching the lives of rescued sea turtles
A recent study at ARCHELON's Sea Turtle Rescue Centre highlights the importance of environmental enrichment in improving the physical and psychological well-being of rescued sea turtles, aiding their rehabilitation and preparing them for successful release back into the wild.
- OUR NEWS24/02/2025
ARCHELON's Annual General Assembly
According to article 8 of the Statutes of ARCHELON Association, its’ members were invited to attend the Annual General Assembly on Saturday, 22 February 2025.
- OUR NEWS20/02/2025
From the ARCHELON’s Rescue Centre in Egypt!
A sea turtle, previously rehabilitated at the ARCHELON’s Rescue Centre, has once again made headlines, this time internationally. The tagged turtle was discovered weak and injured on an Egyptian beach after the recent rough seas. This incident, as reported by the Egyptian news agency, underscores the ongoing need to protect the fragile Mediterranean marine environment.
- OUR NEWS17/02/2025
ARCHELON's turtle toy travels the country with students and teachers
We would like to warmly thank all the schools that participated in the Online Tours during the 2023-2024 school year and spread the message of sea turtle protection to the ends of the country! The online tours for the current school year have already started.
- OUR NEWS12/02/2025
Online Presentation of Results 2024
Last year, 500 volunteers from all over the world came to help turtles in Greece! What did they achieve? Join us to find out!
- OUR NEWS11/02/2025
Historic Green Sea Turtle Nest Discovered on Rhodes Island, Greece
This species is globally endangered and the recent discovery is particularly significant as it suggests a possible shift in green turtle breeding areas.
- OUR NEWS04/02/2025
Joanne's Lifelong Passion: volunteering at the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre
Joanne's lifelong passion for sea turtles led her to volunteer at the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre in Greece, where she dedicates her time to educating visitors and contributing to the organization's conservation efforts.
- OUR NEWS02/02/2025
2 years of joint systematic efforts to protect Greece's largest wetland
- OUR NEWS28/01/2025
The ARCHELON Recap for 2024: We kept on fighting for Sea Turtles and the protection of the Oceans
2024 was the year that the recovery of the loggerhead sea turtle breeding population in Kyparissia Bay has been confirmed! This site now hosts the largest breeding population in the Mediterranean, which has been growing steadily in the past years thanks to the consistent long-term nest protection efforts of ARCHELON. It was also the warmest year globally on record when, on the side of our heavy core business workload, we made time to strengthen our commitment to volunteerism and sustainable tourism.