'Explosion' of arrivals at the Rescue Centre
Along with the change of the weather and the coming of summer, more sea turtles arrive in the waters of our country, either to reproduce or to feed. When all oneʼs life is a journey and the destination itself has the same importance as the way there, one probably canʼt help but have constant adventures.
However, for the sea turtles, many ʽadventuresʼ can be fatal. These unobtrusive travelers face many dangers during their journey. Speed boats, nets and longlines, degradation of the nesting area and the marine environment in general, make up a labyrinth of dangers which leave us anything but indifferent. And while the intentional injury of sea turtles is rare, its occurrence still raises a lot of questions.
In just the last month, the Rescue Centre admitted six injured turtles from different areas in Greece. We hope that with appropriate medical treatment, together with the monitoring of their conditions and the care provided by our volunteers, these turtles (as well as for the other 16 ʽoldʼ turtles already at the Rescue Centre) will have a ʽhappy endingʼ to their journey.
The sea turtles which pass through the Rescue Centre can be the ʽsparkʼ which raises awareness of the problem, an awareness which, under the right conditions, will bring about change in the way we think and act. Schools visit us every day (organized visits arranged by phone), and everyone can take an unforgettable ride to the 3rd Marina in Glyfada every weekend, from 11.00-17.00 (free admission).
By welcoming visitors into our Centre, we can – even for a little while – make them fellow travelers in the beautiful but fragile world of the sea turtle.
Translation by Joanne Stournara
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