Joanne, whatʼs new at the Rescue Centre (December 2016)?
Our volunteer at the Rescue Centre Joanne Stournara updates us on the events in December 2016.
Winter has arrived, without a doubt!
At the beginning of the month, the weather was unseasonably warm and sunny, giving the turtles a chance to enjoy the large, outdoor tanks before their release back into the sea. By the end of the month, things quickly changed, and it even snowed in Athens – a rare event! Needless to say, all of the turtles still being treated are safe and warm in the Intensive Care Unit (also known as ‘the greenhouse’), while our dedicated volunteers are braving the weather conditions to care for the turtles.
We also had some wonderful ‘happenings’ at the RC this month, which will be reported on below.
Volunteer news
It’s always difficult to be in a strange place, far from your family and friends during the holidays, and we would like to thank our volunteers from abroad (Lena, Johanna, Gabrielle and Bobby) who were here over the holidays. Thanks also to our local volunteer Phil, for inviting the volunteers to a Christmas Eve dinner at his home.
Turtle news
Arrivals
Three injured turtles arrived at the RC for treatment in December.
‘Angeliki’, a loggerhead whose carapace measures 60.5 cm and who weighs 23 kilos, arrived from Lefkada on 7 December 2016 with a human-inflicted head injury.
‘Elefteria’ arrived at the RC on 14 December 2016 from Salamina suffering from hypothermia. Unfortunately, this large loggerhead (with a carapace length of 75.5 cm and weighing 50 kilos), died on 24 December 2016.
‘Dion’, a loggerhead whose carapace measured 58.5 cm and who weighs 17 kilos, arrived from Rethymno on 18 December 2016. The turtle has a head injury which was deliberately inflicted by human hands.
We would like to thank everyone involved in helping to rescue these injured turtles.
Releases
Fortunately, because of the favorable weather conditions early in the month, three rehabilitated turtles were released back into the sea.
‘Eos’ arrived at the RC from Naufpakto on 22 September 2016. The turtle was successfully treated and released on 2 December 2016 from Katafygi beach, Attica.
‘Lyda’, who had been sent to the RC from Naxos on 29 September 2016 with an ingested line and head and neck injuries, was successfully treated and released into the Saronic Gulf. ‘Lyda’, who had been rescued by the Society for the Protection of Wildlife in Naxos was scheduled to be released from Naxos in collaboration with the same group. However, due to strike involving ferry boat crews, she was released in Attica. Many thanks to the Society for the Protection of Wildlife in Naxos for rescuing this turtle and for collaborating on her release. For a photo and more information, see https://www.facebook.com/ProstasiaAgriasZoesNaxou/photos/a.401074840002299.1073741828.401066216669828/1040718832704560/?type=3&theater
‘Apollo’, a loggerhead with a flipper injury, arrived from Samos on 1 June 2015. He was successfully treated and released on 8 December 2016 from Katafygi beach, Attica.
Special news
There is also an article about her visit (unfortunately only available in Greek at this time, but you can enjoy the pictures) on the ARCHELON website here http://www.archelon.gr/contents/ourdeltia.php?row=row10&nid=884. I would like to translate two lines from the article, which I think is something all of us should remember. One of the students said to Dr. Goodall, ‘I wish there were more people in the world like you’, to which she replied, ‘But every one of you can be a person like me.’
Dr Goodall was in Greece for several days, during which time she gave presentations at two local venues, the American Community Schools of Athens and the Athens Megaron. A video of her talk at ACS is available on their site http://www.acs.gr/daily-blog/2016/12/8/dr-jane-goodall-presenting-at-acs-athens-dec-16-2016.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook
On 23 December, the annual ARCHELON Christmas party was held at the RC. I think I can speak for everyone and say ‘a good time was had by all’. For pictures of the party, see https://www.facebook.com/archelon.gr/photos/pcb.10154683483581328/10154683425926328/?type=3&theater
Did you know...
Dr Goodall has founded and implemented an educational program around the world for children, called Roots and Shoots. To learn more about this program, see http://www.rootsandshoots.org/ or http://www.janegoodall.org/
RECENT NEWS
- 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!
- OUR NEWS02/05/2024
Sea Turtle Festival for Kids 2024
Save the date! On Saturday 18 May at 11:00, the ARCHELON Rescue Centre opens its doors to welcome young and old sea turtle friends who want to celebrate, explore, learn, play and travel magically in the Mediterranean Sea. We are waiting for you to strengthen our message for a better and sustainable planet!
- OUR NEWS02/05/2024
A successful year for the International Sea Turtle Symposium
The International Sea Turtle Symposium concluded triumphantly this March in Pattaya, Thailand, with ARCHELON actively participating.
- OUR NEWS29/04/2024
A Morning Beach Patrol with ARCHELON
The camera lens of Stefanos and Maria of SteMajourneys caught a rare sight in the early morning: a Loggerhead sea turtle nesting! The volunteers in Chania took action right away to protect the nest.
- OUR NEWS26/04/2024
Protecting sea turtles in Rethymno- Our Ocean, an Ocean of Potential
The 9th International Conference "Our Ocean", which was held in Athens from April 15 to 17, was successfully completed. ARCHELON had the honor to actively take part in the conference and hosted a side event.