Last nest excavation in Kyparissia Bay
The ARCHELON team in Kyparissia Bay has successfully completed the monitoring and protection of sea turtle nesting for 2022. More than 3,700 nests were recorded on 14.5 km of beach which was surveyed daily by the researchers/ volunteers of the project. “We received a total of 61 volunteers during the whole season,” says Michalis Souroulidis, the Project Manager of the Kyparissia project.
“The daily tasks were equally distributed to the team, so everyone got to see and handle sea turtles, nests, or hatchlings, as well as a chance to talk to people visiting the area”, says Eleftheria Psichomani, the Public Awareness leader of Kyparissia project.
Many people on the beaches asked questions and were supportive of the team, especially during the nest excavations. These excavations were carried out after the nests had hatched, in order to determine their hatching success. The last nest was excavated on Monday, September 26th and its hatching success was 75,5%, which is within the normal range (see photos).
ARCHELON has been carrying out monitoring of the reproduction of sea turtles and public awareness activities in Kyparissia Bay, every year since the beginning of the 80s. The area is acknowledged to be home to the largest reproductive population of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) in the Mediterranean. The Nature Protection Area of Kyparissia Bay was established in 2018, but there are still pressures and threats to the habitats and species found there.
The volunteers registered repeatedly disturbance of the nesting of sea turtles on several spots of the beach. Loud music, human presence, and sunbeds/ umbrellas remaining during the night on the beach demonstrated that local businesses as well as free campers did not pay enough attention to the protection measures in place.
“The numbers of beach furniture, the levels of light pollution and the noise in the village of Kalo Nero, as well as in some other spots of the beach, were so high that these nests and hatchlings would not have survived without the ARCHELON project. “I am grateful to everyone who participated. Despite the difficulties and the intense workload, everyone kept working. We all felt tired, but, together, we made it: we recorded and protected all nests and hatchlings”.
While the Kyparissia team is wrapping up the project and will get a well-deserved rest, ARCHELON staff is preparing the call for volunteers for the 2023 nesting season, soon to appear on the website.
Gain experience in environmental education with ARCHELON!
The Rescue Centre is again filled with smiling students and teachers!
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS14/03/2025
Enriching the lives of rescued sea turtles
A recent study at ARCHELON's Sea Turtle Rescue Centre highlights the importance of environmental enrichment in improving the physical and psychological well-being of rescued sea turtles, aiding their rehabilitation and preparing them for successful release back into the wild.
- OUR NEWS24/02/2025
ARCHELON's Annual General Assembly
According to article 8 of the Statutes of ARCHELON Association, its’ members were invited to attend the Annual General Assembly on Saturday, 22 February 2025.
- OUR NEWS20/02/2025
From the ARCHELON’s Rescue Centre in Egypt!
A sea turtle, previously rehabilitated at the ARCHELON’s Rescue Centre, has once again made headlines, this time internationally. The tagged turtle was discovered weak and injured on an Egyptian beach after the recent rough seas. This incident, as reported by the Egyptian news agency, underscores the ongoing need to protect the fragile Mediterranean marine environment.
- OUR NEWS17/02/2025
ARCHELON's turtle toy travels the country with students and teachers
We would like to warmly thank all the schools that participated in the Online Tours during the 2023-2024 school year and spread the message of sea turtle protection to the ends of the country! The online tours for the current school year have already started.
- OUR NEWS12/02/2025
Online Presentation of Results 2024
Last year, 500 volunteers from all over the world came to help turtles in Greece! What did they achieve? Join us to find out!
- OUR NEWS11/02/2025
Historic Green Sea Turtle Nest Discovered on Rhodes Island, Greece
This species is globally endangered and the recent discovery is particularly significant as it suggests a possible shift in green turtle breeding areas.
- OUR NEWS04/02/2025
Joanne's Lifelong Passion: volunteering at the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre
Joanne's lifelong passion for sea turtles led her to volunteer at the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre in Greece, where she dedicates her time to educating visitors and contributing to the organization's conservation efforts.
- OUR NEWS02/02/2025
2 years of joint systematic efforts to protect Greece's largest wetland
- OUR NEWS28/01/2025
The ARCHELON Recap for 2024: We kept on fighting for Sea Turtles and the protection of the Oceans
2024 was the year that the recovery of the loggerhead sea turtle breeding population in Kyparissia Bay has been confirmed! This site now hosts the largest breeding population in the Mediterranean, which has been growing steadily in the past years thanks to the consistent long-term nest protection efforts of ARCHELON. It was also the warmest year globally on record when, on the side of our heavy core business workload, we made time to strengthen our commitment to volunteerism and sustainable tourism.
- OUR NEWS20/01/2025
Thank You to our 2024 Field Leaders: The Heart of Sea Turtle Conservation
At ARCHELON, we owe much of our success to the dedication and passion of our Field Leaders. These incredible individuals guide our volunteers throughout their work in the field, ensuring that our mission to protect sea turtles is carried out with precision, care, and enthusiasm.
- OUR NEWS16/01/2025
The sweet side of healing: Why honey is a secret weapon for saving injured sea turtles.
The antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of honey help fight infections in open wounds, a common problem for injured sea turtles.
- OUR NEWS18/12/2024
An injured Loggerhead sea turtle returns to the ARCHELON Rescue Centre with plastics in its digestive system.
Greece has made progress in cutting down on plastic bag use, but we all need to do more. Sea pollution from plastic is still a major threat, harming both people and marine life.
- OUR NEWS06/12/2024
ARCHELON is on the Frontline of Sea Turtle Rescue in the Mediterranean.
For the first time, we have conducted CT scans for accurate diagnoses and started special blood tests and ultrasounds to monitor the health of sea turtles under our care.
- OUR NEWS03/12/2024
Summer 2025: Lead the Way in Sea Turtle Conservation and become a Field Leader with ARCHELON!
A limited number of experienced and capable volunteers are selected each year for the positions of Field Leaders on the ARCHELON projects. Applications and short CVs for 2025 are now accepted!
- OUR NEWS25/11/2024
Make this gift-giving season more magical: Adopt a Sea Turtle for your loved ones!
Whether it's for the wildlife lover in your life, or someone who cares about the planet, an adoption from ARCHELON is a present that keeps on giving.