"KOSTAS" release at the National Marine Park of Zakynthos
“Kostas” is a male Loggerhead sea turtle that was found by ARCHELON volunteers with a head injury on the 21st of May in the bay of Kyparissia. He was sent to ARCHELONʼs rescue centre in Glyfada (Athens) on the same day he was retrieved from the sea. His rehabilitation started immediately. For three months, “Kostas” was cared and treated in our Rescue Centre and thanks to the help of our dedicated volunteers, who spent their own time to protect this beautiful species. He was kept on a drip for the first week, and his head injury cleaned and monitored throughout his stay in the Rescue Centre. It was estimated that “Kostas” is about 30 years old, and weighs 32kg.
After 2 weeks of observations it was decided that Kostas was fully recovered and ready to swim freely again in his natural habitat. He was brought to Zakynthos to be released in the bay of Laganas where he can start his journey back to his feeding grounds.
ARCHELON together with the valuable help of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, released “Kostas” on the 6th of September. The release took place in front of Louis Zante Beach Hotel (Laganas) and around 400 people were there to see the moment Kostas returned to the sea. His release would not have been possible without the help of our sponsors Louis Hotels and Eleon Grand Resort & Spa who helped to cover the costs of his transportation and treatment, as well as the dedicated volunteers in the Rescue Centre and in the Zakynthos project.
Because only females come on to land for nesting, this was the first time since he was a baby hatchling that “Kostas” walked on sand. He was calm, relaxed and took his time to go to the water. Once he went in the water the public cheered with happiness.
Altogether was a very successful event, as ARCHELON managed to inform and educate around 350 people about the threats that these animals face, as well as the conservation work we perform on the Island of Zakynthos.
Gonçalo Lourenço
Monitoring Assistant Zakynthos Project
ARCHELON at TESOL Greeceʼs Start-of-the-Year Symposium
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