Hundreds of spectators wished “Filippos” farewell
The small caretta named "Filippos" arrived at the Rescue Center from Volos 10 months ago with a fishermanʼs hook stuck in his body. The volunteers at the Center took good care of him and finally the time came to release him.
Pavlos Tsaros, Rescue Center Manager, brought “Filippos” to the Mavrovouni beach (Blue Flag) on Friday 7th of August, where ARCHELON' s research filed station is also located, so the volunteers of the station and the members of “Xelonoparea, ARCHELON's youth group, could actively participate in the release !
At the Lakonikos Bay, ARCHELONʼs volunteers have been protecting the sea turtlesʼ nests and the hatchlings for many years and their camp is inside the premises of the “MELTEMI” camping. During the first week of August, the summer camp of “Xelonoparea” also takes place at the same location. There, young people from 10 to 14 years old, have the chance to live up-close and get the wonderful experience of the extensive conservation and research programmes ARCHELON supports and conducts in the area.
The occasion of the release soon became a festive event! Next to our kiosk on the beach we pitched a special tent for the exhibition displays regarding the biology, the habits and the threats for the sea turtles. Following our invitation, many were the children and young people who joined us, played with our grand floor game and took part in many other entertaining and fun-to-learn activities.
Upon completion of this part of the event and after more than 300 people had gathered on the beach to watch and cheer the release, Neil Davis – the person responsible for the Lakonikos programme – and the volunteer Dina Zafiri, carried Filippos to the beach.
Filippos scooted the final meters across the wet sand himself, slipped into the calm water and disappeared.
The members of Xelonoparea had drawn a huge goodbye banner and, at the end, they distributed cloth bags to the audience as an encouragement to stop using the plastic ones.
Itʼs been a most rewarding experience for all those who came to wish “Filippos” a happy and safe voyage. Actually this is of the few occasions where one can see a sea turtle, since they spend most of their lives in the water, and attending the release of an endangered species into the wild is precious!(TBP/ES)
Filippos, farewell!
Popularity might prove disturbing for a guest star!
In August, the Sea Turtles Rescue Center in Glyfada is closed for visitors
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS09/09/2024
Educational Programs 2024-2025: Inspire the Next Generation of Conservationists with ARCHELON!
Last year, 15,000 students arrived at the Rescue Centre and were fascinated by the wonders of sea turtle conservation.
- OUR NEWS02/09/2024
LIFE MareNatura Marine Conservation School: ARCHELON and NECCA train staff to protect sea turtles
This pioneer Training Seminar titled "Management and protection of the Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas species" was designed with the aim of transferring special and necessary knowledge for the protection of the sea turtles from the competent bodies.
- OUR NEWS30/08/2024
Local Resort leads the way in protecting Zakynthos' sea turtles
In the summer of 2023, Domes Aulus Zante, Autograph Collection Resort stepped forward to support ARCHELON's mission adopting 70 turtle nests!
- OUR NEWS27/08/2024
ARCHELON Launches Comprehensive Study to Protect Sea Turtle Nesting Sites
- OUR NEWS05/08/2024
A Major Leap for Sea Turtle Conservation: Tracking Loggerheads Across the Mediterranean
Last month our team successfully completed the attachment of satellite transmitters to 20 individuals found near the beaches of west and south Peloponnese as well as those of Crete.
- OUR NEWS31/07/2024
Urgent Call for Volunteers: Are you looking for a meaningful adventure? Join in to save sea turtle hatchlings!
We’re urgently seeking volunteers to help protect sea turtles in Greece during August and September. Come and help the hatchlings reach the sea! ARCHELON will offer discounts to the first 50 volunteers who sign up now for the projects.
- OUR NEWS29/07/2024
Help Hatchlings Reach the Sea: Keep Nesting Beaches Dark for Sea Turtles!
Vacationing on a beautiful Greek beach with a sea view? You can be a hero for baby sea turtles!
- OUR NEWS15/07/2024
Ecotourism in Peloponnese and Crete: Explore a Loggerhead sea turtle nesting beach
ARCHELON offers a unique ecological experience for the lucky and aware travelers who will find themselves this summer on important Loggerhead sea turtle nesting beaches that the Association protects.
- OUR NEWS26/06/2024
Sea Turtles Surprise us: if you see tracks on the beach, help ARCHELON's research!
Not all beaches on Greece's extensive coastline are suitable for sea turtle nesting, but sometimes these marine reptiles surprise us! This summer, ARCHELON is asking for your help to investigate a phenomenon called "sporadic nesting".
- OUR NEWS17/06/2024
ATTENTION! Sea turtles are not pets: Do not touch them or feed them!
In areas where a sea turtle associates human presence with food, it’s behavior changes. The turtle treats humans as well as other turtles as competitors in its feeding grounds and tries to drive them away with bites.
- OUR NEWS16/06/2024
30 Years of Hope: The Sea Turtle Rescue Centre of ARCHELON Celebrates World Sea Turtle Day
Every year on June 16th, we celebrate World Sea Turtle Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about these magnificent creatures and the threats they face. This year is particularly important for ARCHELON, as the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre marks 30 years of operation.
- OUR NEWS13/06/2024
Poster contest for children and young adults: Welcome the 2024 turtle hatchlings on the beaches!
Watercolors, markers, collage, computer, phone? Everything is useful. Use your creativity and imagination to make an A3 or A4 size poster announcing that the 2024 sea turtle eggs are about to hatch.
- OUR NEWS17/05/2024
Amvrakikos Project 2024: Special Call for a Field Leader
ARCHELON is looking for a highly motivated person to lead its project in Amvrakikos Gulf, one of the few foraging sites for loggerhead turtles in Greece linking several populations nesting across the Mediterranean region.
- OUR NEWS16/05/2024
Τhe nesting of loggerhead sea turtles started earlier this year and the effects of the climate crisis on the oceans are worrying
For the first time, in the 40 years of ARCHELON records, the first sea turtle nest was found in Laganas Gulf, Zakythos on May 10th. Scientific predictions of the nesting season moving earlier in the spring due to climate change are being confirmed.
- OUR NEWS14/05/2024
Save Turtles, See Greece on a Budget
Dreaming of pristine Greek beaches and a chance to make a real difference? Here's why June and September are the perfect months to volunteer with sea turtle conservation efforts in Greece!