26/07/2016

Joanne, whatʼs new at the Rescue Centre (June 2016)?

Our volunteer at the Rescue Centre Joanne Stournara updates us on the events from 1-30 June 2016.

Now that summer temperatures have arrived in Greece, the busy summer season has begun. Turtles who have recovered their health have been moved into the big outdoor tanks to be observed before they are released back into the sea. Newly arrived turtles are being housed temporarily outdoors in small tanks until tanks in the greenhouse become available for them.

As we are entering the busy summer season, more volunteers will be needed (on both a daily and long-term basis) to take care of the turtles. If you are interested in helping, please contact Pavlo Tsaros at rescue@archelon.gr

Number of turtles currently being treated: 28

Turtle news

Arrivals

Niki’, (a Caretta caretta with a carapace length of 72.0 cm and weight 41 kilos) arrived on 8 June 2016 from Porto Lagos (Xanthi) with an old head injury intentionally caused by human hands. X-rays have shown that the injury is more extensive than it appears, and it’s too early to tell how she will do. We would like to thank Nikos, the driver who brought her to Athens and named her.

Sofia’ (a Caretta caretta whose carapace length is 66.0 cm and who weighs 29 kilos) arrived on 9 June 2016 from Hermione with a superficial head injury. We would like to thank the Flying Dolphin Line for bringing her to Athens, and Sofia, the woman who accompanied her during the trip.

Olivia’ (a loggerhead with a carapace length 66.5 cm and weight 38 kilos) arrived on 9 June 2016 from Karpathos with a superficial head injury. Many thanks to Polybios Papadanil, a local veterinarian and member of the ARION Veterinarian Network, who looked after the turtle and gave her first aid. She was transported to Athens by Aegean Air, which has become a valued partner. We would like to thank them for their excellent collaboration to save this turtle.

Anna’ (a Caretta caretta whose carapace is 68.0 cm and who weighs 36.5 kilos) arrived on 10 June 2016 from Thessaloniki with a severe head injury. She was the second turtle to recently arrive from Thessaloniki with severe head trauma.

joanne-ti-nea-apo-to-kentro-diaswshs-iounios-2016-Jasmin.jpg

Monika’ (a loggerhead whose carapace length is 52.5 cm and who weighs 16 kilos) arrived on 12 June 2016 from Thessaloniki with a severe head injury. ‘Monika’ was the third turtle to recently arrive from Thessaloniki with severe head trauma.

Louna’, (a Caretta caretta with a carapace length of 64.0 cm and weighing 29 kilos) arrived on 15 June 2016 from Chania, Crete with an ingested hook and line as well as a broken plastron. She passed the fishing line through naturally, which confirmed that it was separate from the hook. The hook was surgically removed. She has been recovering quite well.

Releases

We are happy to report that a number of turtles who had recovered their health were released in June.

joanne-ti-nea-apo-to-kentro-diaswshs-iounios-2016-releases_june16.jpg

On 2 June 2016, ‘Aquis’ had been found in Corfu with a head injury and arrived at the RC on12 August 2015. He had been found by members of the staff of the local Hotel Aquis, and was looked after by the local veterinarian Dr Spyros Desylas, a member of the ARION Veterinarian Network. ‘Aquis’ was released from the beach, accompanied by students from Stavrakis School, who had adopted a turtle at the Rescue Center

On 3 June 2016, ‘Artemis’, the turtle who had received a lot of publicity after being rescued from an uninhabited island along with a group of refugees, was released on Leros, from where she had come. Many thanks to the local vet Dr Michalis Kontragouris (a member of ARION Veterinarian Network) who took care of the turtle. Aegean Air arranged for her transport to the Rescue Centre. Aegean Air also made it possible for Artemis to be released back on Leros. Two local schools were invited to this event. For videos, see https://www.facebook.com/olympicair/videos/10153493090232237/ and https://vimeo.com/172824848 .

On 10 June 2016, ‘Christina’, who had arrived on 13 July 2015 from Vardas (Eleias) with a head injury and an ingested hook, was released into the Saronic Gulf by boat. Many thanks to the Management Agency of Kotiki Strofilia for rescuing and sending the turtle to the RC. ‘Christina’ was able to be released into the open sea thanks to the Aqua Divers Club.

On 16 June 2016, ‘Kasjpy’, who had arrived on 3 January 2016 with an ingested line, was released. Thanks to everyone involved in rescuing this turtle.

On 20 June 2016, ‘Ioli’, who had arrived on 26 October 2015 with hypothermia, was released. Thanks to everyone involved in rescuing this turtle.

On 29 June 2016, ‘Stephania’, who had arrived on 3 June 2016 from Vougliameni, was released. She had been found offshore by members of a local kayak club. They managed to push her close to shore, where Archelon volunteers went to rescue her. She had a hook in her mouth, will a long piece of line attached, which luckily she hadn’t swallowed. The line was wrapped around her flippers. Fortunately, we were able to remove easily the line around her flippers and retrieve the hook without surgery. For a video of the release, see https://vimeo.com/173000478

Thanks to Polymnia and Yiannis for looking after these turtles (and all the others) during the winter months.

Deaths

Unfortunately, a number of newly-arrived, seriously injured turtles did not survive.

Florence’, who arrived from Isthmia (Corinth) with a ingested hook.

Barry’, who was found near Fleves island in the Saronic Bay, died from ingested plastic.

Athina’, an adult female loggerhead, was found entangled in fishing line on 27 June 2016 near Isthmia. Her front right flipper was too damaged to be saved, and her back right flipper was also broken. After consulting with our vet and other vets throughout the world, it was decided that it would be best for her to be put down. Many thanks to local vet Maria Belivani (a member of ARION Veterinarian Network) for taking care of the turtle and also for her generous adoption of one of the turtles being treated at the RC.

Other news

Remember that the RC will be closed to the public during the month of August, as usual.

Did you know...

We had recently reported on a turtle which was found in the south of Crete with a hook in its mouth by a diving instructor. The rescuer had had special training, and was able to remove the hook and release the turtle. Two weeks later, the diving instructor saw the same turtle return to the beach to nest!

On 29 June, which coincidentally happened to be Pavlo’s name day, two events took place: ‘Stefania’ was released back into the sea less than a month after she had been found, and a nest was found and protected on Marathon beach here in Attica! It’s unusual to find sea turtles nesting in Attica because most of the beaches have been developed and turtles can’t nest on them. For more info and photos about this exciting event, see https://www.facebook.com/archelon.gr/photos/a.276218571327.144675.276190381327/10154178564681328/?type=3&theater#

We’ll keep you posted once the incubation period is over and the nest is excavated.

joanne-ti-nea-apo-to-kentro-diaswshs-septembrios-2015-JoanneStournara3.jpg

RECENT NEWS

  1. OUR NEWS
    15/07/2024

    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.

    Read more
  2. OUR NEWS
    26/06/2024

    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".

    Read more
  3. OUR NEWS
    17/06/2024

    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.

    Read more
  4. OUR NEWS
    16/06/2024

    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.

    Read more
  5. OUR NEWS
    13/06/2024

    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.

    Read more
  6. OUR NEWS
    17/05/2024

    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.

    Read more
  7. OUR NEWS
    16/05/2024

    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.

    Read more
  8. OUR NEWS
    14/05/2024

    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!

    Read more
  9. OUR NEWS
    02/05/2024

    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!

    Read more
  10. OUR NEWS
    02/05/2024

    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.

    Read more
  11. OUR NEWS
    29/04/2024

    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.

    Read more
  12. OUR NEWS
    26/04/2024

    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.

    Read more
  13. OUR NEWS
    12/04/2024

    Coordination for the protection of sea turtles in Rethymno: Local authorities and tourism businesses join forces

    The meeting, which took place on April 5, 2024, in the building of the Regional Unit of Rethymno, touched upon key issues, such as the observance of conservation measures for the protection of the Loggerhead sea turtle. Given the tourist activity on the nesting beaches, the active participation of the tourism sector in the implementation of the measures is necessary.

    Read more
  14. OUR NEWS
    10/04/2024

    "Tourists and turtles?" The environmental awareness campaign of ARCHELON spreads to the nesting beaches of the Loggerhead sea turtle

    After the pandemic, ARCHELON - the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece - is once again mobilizing on the path to sustainable tourism. The aim of the new campaign is to provide information on the appropriate code of conduct for visitors to all nesting beaches, in cooperation with the tourism sector.

    Read more
  15. OUR NEWS
    04/04/2024

    LIFE MareNatura - The largest marine biodiversity program in Greece

    Read more
1 out of 0
Subscribe to our newsletter!
Learn about our latest actions and find out about our programs and how you can help sea turtles!