Penelope returns to her Ithaca in the Ionian Sea
About two months ago, an adult loggerhead sea turtle was found on the island of Kefalonia and she appeared to have swallowed fishing lines. Residents of the island helped to transport the turtle named "Penelope" to the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Center in Glyfada in Athens.
During the medical examinations, 2 small hooks were found stack in Penelope’s esophagus. Immediately it was decided by the veterinarian and specialized staff of ARCHELON to proceed with the removal of the line and hooks. The operation was successful, Penelope fully recovered and the time for her to return to the Ionian Sea had come.
The release point was decided to be the coast of the Kyparissia Bay which has been declared as a Nature Protection Area because of its great ecological value. Among other things, it hosts the largest number of loggerhead nests in the Mediterranean and is part of the Natura 2000 network.
On Monday, August 12 at 7:30 pm, many locals and visitors came to Kalo Nero beach in order to observe and admire Penelope as she entered the sea.
The beach of Kalo Nero village is in the core of the nesting area of Kyparissia Bay. There was an unexpectedly high turnout of locals and visitors, which was heartwarming for the volunteers of ARCHELON. Penelope hesitated a bit and then decisively entered the sea and disappeared gracefully into the Ionian Sea.
ARCHELON, The Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece has been dedicated to the protection of the Kyparissia Bay, as well as all other nesting areas in Greece, for more than 35 years. We hope that, with the reintroduction of Penelope, the central motto of ARCHELON “Humans and Turtles: We can all live together” reached many people’s hearts and minds.
Info: Giannis Chalkias, Project Officer for the Western Peloponnese, tel: 00306932285817.
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