Our volunteer at the Rescue Centre Joanne Stournara updates us on the events from 1-31 March 2016.

Unfortunately, during the month of March 2016, three new turtles with serious injuries arrived at the Rescue Centre for treatment.

Turtle news

“Petros”, a large loggerhead (carapace length 65 cm; weight 41 kilos) arrived on 5 March 2016 from Kefallonia with a deliberately-inflicted-by-human-hands head injury. He was found near the coast and rescued by the Wildlife Sense organization on Kefalonia (wildlifesense.com). After giving the turtle first aid, they sent him to the ARCHELON Rescue Centre of intensive care. His injury is quite serious (to say the least) and it is not known if he will survive.

“Lefki”, a small green turtle (carapace length 24.0 cm; weight 2 kilos) with serious flipper injuries, arrived at the RC on 5 March 2016 from Paros. It is possible that his flippers were injured as a result of being entangled with a fishing line or net. Unfortunately, he died shortly after arrival. More information will be available after a necropsy is performed.

This is a good sign, and we are happy to be able to say he is recovering very well. As soon as the weather permits, he will be moved to one of the big outdoor tanks.

“Piu”, who was a small turtle when he arrived at the RC in 2012, is continuing to do well and grow. When he arrived, he weighed just 840 kilograms, and had been found swimming around Piraeus Harbour with three flippers and a deformed carapace (on which somebody had carved the initials MD.). He is now diving and eating on his own. Because of his condition, he won’t be able to be released back into the sea, but we hope that this year he will find a new home in an aquarium.

Did you know...

ARCHELON, along with other Greek non-governmental environmental organizations, has been active in helping the many refugees arriving in Greece. You can read and/or download a copy of the official Safe environment for the refugees, better life for all Joint statement of environmental NGOs on the refugee crisis in Greece from the ‘Our News’ section of the archelon.gr website. (Available in both Greek and English)

You may also be interested in reading another article in that same section, called Participation of ARCHELON in the public consultation of the draft Presidential Decree for Kyparissia Bay, west Peloponnese. (Also available in both Greek and English)