Joanne, whatʼs new at the Rescue Centre (November 2015)?
Our volunteer at the Rescue Centre Joanne Stournara updates us on the events from 1-30 November 2015.
Turtle news:
Turtles currently being treated: 20 (18 loggerheads and 2 green turtles)
Only one new turtle arrived in November. ‘Andriko’, a Caretta caretta with a 35 cm carapace and weighing 5 kilos, arrived on 2 November 2015 from Corinth with an ingested hook and line. The hook was able to be removed without surgery, but unfortunately he died shortly afterwards due to internal injuries caused by the ingested line.
‘Sophia’, a Caretta caretta who had arrived from Kalamata on 30 June 2015 with carapace injuries, died as a result of her injuries.
‘Dimitris-Pavlos’, the largest turtle at the RC this year, is doing well! He had a severe head injury deliberately inflicted by human hands which resulted in splintering part of his skull. All the bone fragments were successfully removed, and the wound is no longer hemorrhaging. He is now being tube fed and, despite his injuries, is able to dive and stay on the bottom of his tank!
Releases
‘Oasis’, a loggerhead who had arrived from Zakynthos on 14 August 2015 with a flipper injury, was released 8 Nov 2015(which unfortunately had to be amputated), was released by boat on 11 Nov 2015.
‘Mario’, a loggerhead who had arrived 14 August 2015 from Chios with a head injury, was released on 8 November 2015.
Other news
On 22 November, a special event was organized at the RC to celebrate the 32nd anniversary of ARCHELON. Besides the tours of the RC, educational films and games for children, ARCHELON collected clothing and other items for children in support of the volunteer group ‘ΜΕΤΑδραση’ on Lesbos. In fact, long-time ARCHELON volunteer Christina Dimakou, who is working on Lesbos with refugee children travelling without parents, was recently featured in an article in the UK newspaper [The Guardian](http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/13/athens-lawyer-guardian-to-refugee-camp- children?CMP=share%5Fbtn%5Ffb).
Next time you’re at the RC, be sure to take a look at the new exhibit of hooks, lines, pieces of plastic, and other unusual things ingested by our turtles. Some of the items were removed with surgery and some without, some were naturally eliminated by the turtles with the help of special pharmaceutical oil, and others were recovered from turtles after they had died. The exhibit is on display in the RC shop.
Did you know...
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is an international group involved in gathering and analyzing data, conducting research, etc. in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. It is best known for publishing the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In 2015, the status of Caretta caretta sea turtles on the Red List was downgraded from Endangered to Vulnerable, based on the increase in the number of nests. To read all the details relating to the justification for this decision, as well as a lot of other information about these turtles and the dangers they face, see http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/3897/0
There are several Facebook pages about ARCHELON, but only one official page. Please LIKE the official ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Society Facebook page and follow us for future events.
RECENT NEWS
- 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!
- 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.