15/09/2023

Lilo, the tiny green turtle, made it back to the sea!

In November 2021 a small green turtle (Chelonia mydas) from Chalkida arrived at the ARCHELON Rescue Centre with a very serious head injury.

Untitled design (18).png

ARCHELON’s rehabilitation team greeted the turtle with great concern. “Every animal that comes into the Rescue Centre has a place in our hearts. But some are very special cases, like this little green turtle", remembers Michalis Moraitis, ARCHELON’s Rehabilitation Assistant, and explains: "What made him stand out is not the extent of the wound on his head, because for us, severe head injuries are unfortunately part of everyday life. What made its rehabilitation very demanding was his tiny size and his species."

Sea turtle head injuries make up the majority of incidents the Rescue Centre is called to deal with today and are usually inflicted upon the unfortunate animals either by purposeful attacks or by collisions with speedboats. Head injuries are particularly dangerous for turtles and can cause plenty of neurological problems. Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) are even more sensitive to these injuries than loggerheads (Caretta caretta).

The green turtle from Chalkida was named "Lilo" and the rehabilitation team got to work to save her. “We had to devise methods and tools to be able to intervene on the tiny scars left by his recovery. For example, we have used interdental cleaning brushes with great success, as well as special hypermagnification glasses!”, Michalis explains.

Lilo_green_sea_turtle_at_the_rescue_centre_archelon_d30f7b61b7.webp

Στιγμιότυπο οθόνης 2023-09-13 115150.png

"The next big difficulty we faced had to do with his inability to open his mouth enough to feed himself without help", continues Eirini Kasimati, ARCHELON’s Rescue and Rehabilitation Officer. "After many months of physiotherapy we managed to overcome this problem too", Eirini says. In August of 2023, Lilo was already in the last stage of his rehabilitation! At this stage, the turtles are transferred to a larger tank, where they are prepared and tested for their upcoming release back into the sea.

Thus, in September of 2023, the moment of Lilo's release arrived. He was transported to a quiet beach in Attica, where the ARCHELON team said goodbye to him. Lilo, with quick splashes, had finally returned back to his home, the sea…

lilo preparation.jpg

20230913_135807.jpg

"A huge thank you from us, the rehabilitation team, to dozens of volunteers who stood by Lilo's side as well as ours, during all these difficult months until his release", Michalis says with gratitude. "We would also like to thank The Green Fund for consistently supporting our work here", Eirini adds.

Today, the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Center hosts over 30 sea turtles that are being treated and recovering from their injuries:

The above actions were carried out in the framework of the Project "Rescue, care and rehabilitation of sea turtles into their natural environment in 2023". Project Financed by The Green Fund. In Priority Axis 2 "BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND INNOVATIVE ACTIONS - SMART CITIES AND OTHER ACTIONS" of "NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND INNOVATIVE ACTIONS 2023". Budget: €45,000.00. Beneficiary: ARCHELON, The Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece.

PRASINO-TAMEIO.jpg

RECENT NEWS

  1. OUR NEWS
    28/10/2024

    A wildlife symbol turned into a macabre tourist attraction

    Αn embalmed Loggerhead sea turtle was found on public display in front of one of the Kastos island’s taverns.

    Read more
  2. OUR NEWS
    23/10/2024

    Growing Beyond Boundaries: A Volunteer's Transformation

    “Through volunteering in Chania, I was able to go beyond my limits and discover a new world,” says Hyerim Ryu, explaining her motivation and sharing her experience of 5 weeks volunteering with ARCHELON.

    Read more
  3. OUR NEWS
    18/10/2024

    Is there any progress on establishing an all-embracing Marine Park in the Ionian Sea?

    We are awaiting the results of the study with great interest, as the establishment of the new Marine Park in the Ionian Sea will be a landmark for the protection of sea turtles in the Mediterranean.

    Read more
  4. OUR NEWS
    16/10/2024

    Greece's Marine Protected Areas remain unprotected

    A new report, by nine environmental organizations, identifies serious deficiencies in the protection of the most important Greek marine habitats, stressing the urgent need for immediate action

    Read more
  5. OUR NEWS
    14/10/2024

    2025 Projects: Is it your turn to save the sea turtles?

    ARCHELON is thrilled to announce the volunteering projects for 2025. If you're passionate about nature conservation and eager to make a positive impact, we invite you to join our dedicated team of volunteers.

    Read more
  6. OUR NEWS
    30/09/2024

    Reunite with Your Passion: Become an ARCHELON Ambassador!

    Are you passionate about sea turtle conservation and want to make a positive impact on their survival? Becoming an ARCHELON ambassador is a fantastic way to contribute to this important cause.

    Read more
  7. OUR NEWS
    27/09/2024

    Transforming Rethymno: Sustainable tourism opportunities with the sea turtle as ambassador

    With sea turtles as its ambassadors, Rethymno has the opportunity to become a global leader in sustainable tourism. By offering responsible ecotourism experiences, the tourism industry can create a legion of passionate advocates for ocean conservation.

    Read more
  8. OUR NEWS
    18/09/2024

    Counting the Loggerhead nests in Zakynthos - the work of an army of ants

    For the past 41+ years, ARCHELON has been counting annually nests laid by loggerhead turtles on the island of Zakynthos, one of most important nesting areas in the Mediterranean.

    Read more
  9. OUR NEWS
    17/09/2024

    Successful wrap up of Amvrakikos project for 2024 marking two decades of dedicated work

    ARCHELON is a beacon of hope for sea turtles in Greece's Amvrakikos Gulf. From rescuing injured turtles to monitoring their population characteristics and their migration patterns, ARCHELON's work has been contributing to the survival of these protected animals for the last 20 years.

    Read more
  10. OUR NEWS
    09/09/2024

    Educational Programs 2024-2025: Inspire the Next Generation of Conservationists with ARCHELON!

    Last year, 15,000 students arrived at the Rescue Centre and were fascinated by the wonders of sea turtle conservation.

    Read more
  11. OUR NEWS
    02/09/2024

    LIFE MareNatura Marine Conservation School: ARCHELON and NECCA train staff to protect sea turtles

    This pioneer Training Seminar titled "Management and protection of the Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas species" was designed with the aim of transferring special and necessary knowledge for the protection of the sea turtles from the competent bodies.

    Read more
  12. OUR NEWS
    30/08/2024

    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!

    Read more
  13. OUR NEWS
    27/08/2024

    ARCHELON Launches Comprehensive Study to Protect Sea Turtle Nesting Sites

    Read more
  14. OUR NEWS
    05/08/2024

    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.

    Read more
  15. OUR NEWS
    31/07/2024

    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.

    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!