ARCHELON has been running a special hospital for sea turtles with tanks and impressive old train wagons for 30 years in Glyfada
It was 1994 when ARCHELON, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece, managed to set up this model Sea Turtle Rescue Centre in Glyfada. The need for its creation arose as a natural result of ARCHELON’s work, as many of our fellow citizens every year were asking for instructions and help for the injured turtles they encountered on the coasts or at sea.
Its opening was made possible with the decisive assistance of the then Mayor of Glyfada, the late Theodoros Spondylidis, who granted the necessary space at the 3rd Marina, as the proximity to seawater was key for the treatment of marine animals. However, the rescue volunteers of ARCHELON needed a place protected from the weather to work and spend the night near the injured animals. A creative solution had to be found. This was none other than the old train wagons that were donated by OSE and gave a special character to the premises!
"Back then there were only two wagons at the Rescue Centre and a turtle with a hook in its mouth in a plastic children's pool about 50 cm in diameter," recalls Tom Scott, the first foreign volunteer of the Rescue Centre. "We bathed with the hose, while we had to carry water from the sea for the turtles with buckets. A large part of the work we did was building and painting the facility to make it the place it is today. The first wagon was used for the environmental education programme and the other as an office, a laboratory and a dorm. Soon we had outdoor tanks and clean water from a pump and we were all very excited about these changes”, he adds.
Over the years the Rescue Centre continued to change and pioneer. This model unit, which is now among the most important in the world, very recently, thanks to the relevant legislation that was established, was licensed and operates as one of the first Wildlife Care Centers in our country. Today, the animals under care are no longer accommodated in improvised swimming pools, but in 42 special rehabilitation and preparation tanks with state-of-the-art pumps that filter, renew and heat the seawater. Thus, more than 1300 animals have been accommodated and received treatment in our facilities!
The Centre's facilities include 7 train wagons used for offices, food preparation facilities, volunteer dormitories, a gift shop, and a warehouse. The latest renovation at the Rescue Centre was done in collaboration with CMA CGM, a global player in sea, land, air, and logistics solutions. We are grateful for this partnership, and with their support, the complete renovation of one of the old wagons was made possible. The new space now hosts three offices and a space for presentations, meetings and training!
The multi-level educational and entertaining experience of touring the Rescue Centre has made it a point of interest for schools and visitors from all over the world who want to see the treated animals up close and be informed about the problems they face. Great value is also given to the Rescue Centre through the experience of volunteers from Greece and many other countries, who help inform the visitors and care for the turtles.
Learn how you can visit the Rescue Centre with your school, family or friends, and how you too can become an ARCHELON volunteer.
Why are ARCHELON’s projects international?
What happened in the world of ARCHELON in 2023?
RECENT NEWS
- 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.
- OUR NEWS20/01/2025
Thank You to our 2024 Field Leaders: The Heart of Sea Turtle Conservation
At ARCHELON, we owe much of our success to the dedication and passion of our Field Leaders. These incredible individuals guide our volunteers throughout their work in the field, ensuring that our mission to protect sea turtles is carried out with precision, care, and enthusiasm.