She was found injured, with many deep wounds on the carapace and plastron and completely weakened on the Ionian coast, near Preveza, in September 2018.

She was transferred to the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Center where she remained for 12 months under intensive care. Her wounds were sealed every day to stay dry. Dozens of volunteers along with ARCHELON's staff have been patient and persistent with her. We are pleased to present you the healthy "Chrysanthi", an adult female loggerhead sea turtle, about 30-40 years old, with a curved 77cm carapace length and 84kg weight.

“Chrysanthi” returned to her natural environment, the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea a few days ago and began its new life on the Missiria Rethymno beach in front of a crowd. All the attendees showed due respect to the animal and the team of ARCHELON volunteers who were there to inform and assist in the smooth outcome of the event.

So, together, we watched “Chrysanthi” walk for twenty minutes to the stormy sea. Volunteers and visitors, we all held our breath for a few seconds until we saw her take her first breath in the open sea.

Every time we watch a release at ARCHELON, our emotions are the same. Anxiety and finally relief to see this chain of rescue actions come to the final step. We feel that every release sends a message to the world, that even when only a tiny marine animal has been saved with the help of humans, it’s rescue has significant in relation to the catastrophe we are causing to our planet.

ARCHELON wishes to thank all those who helped in the rescue, care, rehabilitation and release of this turtle, as well as those who attended and attended this special event with us.

With the end of this year's hatching season approaching, we inform you that ARCHELON’s team will continue to record and protect every nest and hatchling in the main nesting areas in Rethymnon, Chania and Messara bay, until we are sure everybody has gone to sea.

The return of 'Chrysanthi' was another public awareness event in the framework of the TUI TURTLE AID program of the TUI Care Foundation, organized by ARCHELON.

Information:

ARCHELON, Odysseas Paxinos, Crete Project Officer, tel. 6937352379, Email: archelon.crete@gmail.com