The summer may be coming to an end, but at the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre, the need for care does not stop.

August was an exceptionally demanding month, with 13 sea turtles arriving at the Rescue Centre in need of treatment and rehabilitation. With 42 rehabilitation tanks available, the number of turtles requiring care was so high that, at one point during the summer, the Rescue Centre reached full capacity.

Among our newest patients are:

• ‘Sesame’, found in Thasos with a serious head injury caused by a propeller.

• ‘Chilli’, who arrived from Volos with an initially unknown condition and later passed plastic debris, indicating that she had ingested plastic.

• ‘Achiote’, from Amvrakikos, who required treatment after ingesting a fishing hook.

• ‘Paprika’ and ‘Hedwig’, both admitted in critical condition with severe head and neck injuries.

These are just some of the turtles currently receiving care at the Rescue Centre. Every patient follows a different path to recovery, and rehabilitation can take months or even years before a turtle is ready to return to the sea.

And now, winter is approaching…

After operating at or near full capacity for an extended period, the Rescue Centre is entering the winter months with significantly increased needs. As temperatures drop, additional resources are required to heat the rehabilitation tanks and maintain suitable conditions for the turtles throughout their recovery.

At the same time, the work continues every day. Our patients still require treatment, food and dedicated care, while injured or sick sea turtles continue to arrive through ARCHELON’s Rescue Network throughout the year.

Our October goal: €5,000

This October, we are launching a fundraising campaign with one clear goal: to raise €5,000 to support the care of our sea turtle patients through the end of 2026.

The funds raised will contribute to essential needs, including veterinary care and examinations, medication and medical supplies, food and specialised nutrition, heating, and the daily operation and maintenance of the rehabilitation facilities.

Behind every rehabilitated turtle that returns to the sea are countless hours of care and a network of people who make that journey possible.

Every donation, no matter its size, helps us continue providing our patients with the care they need while remaining ready to respond when another sea turtle arrives in need of help.

With your support, we can meet the increased demands of the months ahead and continue working towards the moment we are all waiting for: seeing each rehabilitated turtle return to the sea.

Support their journey back to the sea.

Donate here.