Joanne, whatʼs new at the Rescue Centre (February 2016)?
Our volunteer at the Rescue Centre Joanne Stournara updates us on the events from 1-29 February 2016.
Turtle news:
Turtles currently being treated: 23
During the month of February 2016, we are happy to report that there were NO new turtle arrivals AND NO deaths. So, here is some recent news about the turtles currently being treated at the RC.
‘Artemis’, the turtle who received a lot of publicity in January after being rescued along with a group of refugees on an uninhabited Greek island and who was later transported by Aegean Airlines to Athens (see previous report for details), is improving. She has started to eat on her own, which is a good sign.
‘Retsina’, a green turtle (carapace length 46 cm, weighing 10.5 kilos), is now starting to eat on her own. Hopefully, she will continue to improve.
‘Persa’ is a beautiful, big loggerhead who arrived with a head injury. Because of the injury, her neck was twisted to one side. The RC staff tried partially covering her tank so that she would be protected from the sights and sounds around her, and it has greatly helped her. It seems to have relaxed her and relieved the stress she was experienced, and her neck has now gradually straightened out. (We did not want to disturb her, so we don’t have a recent picture of her right now.)
An exhibition of items recovered from our turtles – i.e. hooks of all sizes, lines of all lengths, pieces of plastic, and even a pair of light sticks – is now on display at the RC. Be sure to stop by and see the exhibit.
Did you know...
For a number of years, ARCHELON has been studying turtles in Amvrakikos Bay, a protected bay which is a favorite spot of sea turtles. In 2002, ARCHELON initiated its first telemetry project. This was part of an EU co-funded LIFE-Nature project conducted by ETANAM, the management agency of Amvrakikos Bay. Satellite transmitters were attached to turtles’ carapaces, and their movements were monitored and mapped by seaturtle.org. Since then, whenever funding is available, other turtles have had transmitters attached and are tracked. At the moment, only one turtle, named ‘Alan’ is still transmitting. For a map of his movement, see: http://www.seaturtle.org/tracking/index.shtml?tag_id=127977
For more information about this project, see these two pages on the ARCHELON website: http://www.archelon.gr/eng/pro_life_telemetry.php?row=row4
If you would to help ARCHELON continue this project, you can become a sponsor of one the Amvrakikos Bay turtles. For details, see http://www.archelon.gr/eng/Sponsor_Amvrakikos_turtle.php?row=row9.
If you are interested in working as a volunteer at Amvrakikos Bay, please contact Theoni Karkoulia, Volunteers Officer & E.V.S. Project Coordinator, at volunteers@archelon.gr or 30-210-5231342.
The protection of the Loggerhead Sea turtles in Laganas Bay, Zakynthos, Greece during 2015
Joanne, whatʼs new at the Rescue Centre (January 2016)?
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS29/08/2025
Turtle Run in Chania: Lace up your running shoes and get ready!
September 7th, Chania: Join the event and support the protection of one of the most iconic marine species in the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS27/08/2025
Citizens Help us Map Sea Turtle Sporadic Nesting in the Ionian Sea
This study is particularly important as it highlights the power of citizen science. Public eyes on beaches, outreach through online platforms and new reporting tools are expanding our understanding of turtle nesting beyond the beaches we monitor.
- OUR NEWS20/08/2025
A nesting turtle brings hope amidst a night of fire
After a 12-hour period filled with fear and uncertainty, the family witnessed a miracle of nature. “It brought us peace and reminded us of what is important”.
- OUR NEWS14/08/2025
ARCHELON’s Life-Saving Chain with the Support of the Green Fund
Thanks to persistence, medication, daily care, and a great deal of patience, “Snowball” gradually moved from a critical state to full recovery.
- OUR NEWS31/07/2025
ATTENTION! Please do not feed sea turtles – They are not pets- Protect them from human induced impacts
ARCHELON informs that the phenomenon of feeding sea turtles by people in coastal areas, ports and tourist spots has been observed in recent years. Despite good intentions, this practice causes serious problems – for turtles and for people alike.
- OUR NEWS25/07/2025
New Info Station in Kyparissia Opens for LIFE MareNatura Project
Located at the beachfront of the town, the Info Station operates daily 18:30 - 21:00.
- OUR NEWS21/07/2025
Public Excavations of Sea Turtle Nests in Crete
The excavations are open for both kids and adults and take place on the nesting beaches of Rethymno, Chania, and the Messara Bay during the months of August and September.
- OUR NEWS21/07/2025
Public Excavations of Sea Turtle Nests in the Peloponnese
The excavations are open for both kids and adults and take place on the nesting beaches of Kyparissia Bay, Romanos, Koroni and Lakonikos Bay during the months of August and September.
- OUR NEWS16/07/2025
Earlier than ever before was the start of the 2025 Hatching Season of Loggerheads in Greece – The first hatchlings have reached the sea!
We are excited to announce the beginning of the 2025 sea turtle hatching season, with the earliest hatching event ever recorded since monitoring began in 1984.
- OUR NEWS15/07/2025
Important presentations at the 16th International Congress on the Zoogeography and Ecology of Greece and Adjacent Regions (ICZEGAR)
ARCHELON actively contributed to the Congress with three oral presentations, highlighting key aspects of its scientific and conservation work for sea turtles.
- OUR NEWS09/07/2025
Inspections in Zakynthos and Kyparissia by representatives of the Bern Convention
The experts were in Greece to monitor the implementation of the Recommendations adopted by the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention to our country regarding the protection of the Loggerhead sea turtle and the ongoing threats faced by the species in its largest breeding habitats in the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS02/07/2025
Citizen Science: Recording of Sporadic Nesting of Sea turtles across the Aegean
For over four decades, many people have been reporting turtle sightings and tracks across the Greek coastline. Thanks to them, we have confirmed 577 unique nesting events outside our regularly monitored areas
- OUR NEWS01/07/2025
Satellite Tagging Completed and Captured on Film in Crete
ARCHELON has just successfully completed the 2025 deployment of satellite transmitters on Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) in Crete, as part of the ongoing LIFE MareNatura Project. This year’s work in Crete was extra special: the LIFE MareNatura Documentary team joined us in the field!
- OUR NEWS23/06/2025
Enjoy the Beaches Responsibly: Together We Protect the Sea Turtles of Kyparissia Bay!
So far, more than 2,000 nests have been recorded in the area. In order to best manage the protected beaches, we have adapted our field work protocols.
- OUR NEWS16/06/2025
World Sea Turtle Day: We can all live together!
Today, June 16th, we celebrate World Sea Turtle Day. On this occasion, ARCHELON expresses its warmest thanks to all citizens, volunteers, donors and supporters who actively contribute to our work.