Record number of injured turtles at the Glyfada Rescue Center
Adriano, Anastasia, Vasilis, Georgia, Katerina, Manolis, Petros, Yannis – these are just some of the injured Caretta caretta sea turtles being treated at the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Center in Glyfada.
This summer marked another ʽsadʼ record of injured sea turtle arrivals: There are currently 39 injured turtles in the tanks at the Center! The Centerʼs Coordinator and the volunteers from Greece, Sweden, Germany, England and France who take care of the injured turtles had to set up small, new, temporary tanks in order to take care of the poor, unfortunate animals.
The Rescue Center is located at the 3rd Marina in Glyfada on a six acre area which has been made available for this purpose by the town of Glyfada. The facilities of the Rescue Center are housed in renovated wooden train wagons provided by OSE, and all aspects of the current setup are designed so as to be mobile in nature (i.e. capable of being adjusted easily and quickly to meet the Centerʼs needs at any given time).
There are 35 tanks at the Center, all connected to an automatic system which brings in water from the sea. Water in the tanks is constantly renewed/replaced by an overflow system.
The Center is also the headquarters of the National Sea Turtle Rescue Network, whose priority is the constant monitoring and recording of sea turtle strandings throughout the year. By means of our phone hotline 210-8944444 and with the cooperation of the Greek Coast Guard (based on instructions in Y.E.N: M-3143.5/1/99 dated 20 July 1999), we have the capability to timely transport injured turtles from all parts of Greece to the Center.
The Rescue Center is open to the public every Saturday and Sunday, 11.00-17.00. It is the only place in Greece where visitors can both receive information about an animal which is in danger of immediate extinction and can also see some of the injured animals in their special tanks, where they are kept while they are being prepared for treatment by our veterinarians or being rehabilitated for their release back into the sea. (T.B-P.)
Translation by Joanne Stournara
Illegal breakwater at Marathonisi demolished
Underwater encounters with sea turtles!
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS17/04/2026
How a sea turtle illuminated the unknown paths of the Aegean
Helen Jane was not just another dead sea turtle found on the Greek coastline. For ARCHELON researchers, she was a living beacon of information
- OUR NEWS10/04/2026
ARCHELON takes part in Chania's “Move It Now” initiative
Through educational activities, games and discussions, students had the opportunity to understand that every "green" choice in our daily lives is a direct help to the environment.
- OUR NEWS09/04/2026
Coming together for sustainable tourism in Chania
Looking towards the upcoming nesting season, the tourism community of Chania gathered at the city’s Town Hall.
- OUR NEWS08/04/2026
The Return of the “Giant”: Everest Swims Again in Greek Seas After Two Years of Rehabilitation
The story of 'Everest' began in May 2024 in Preveza, when the sea turtle was found with a severe, intentional head injury. Upon arrival at the Rescue Centre, its condition was critical: malnourished, weighing just 81 kg, and suffering from serious buoyancy problems that made survival in the sea impossible.
- OUR NEWS07/04/2026
Through the dust: Rethymno looks for a sustainable future with the sea turtles
Neither the African dust nor the sandstorm of last Wednesday stood in the way of ARCHELON's event at the Rethymno City Hall!
- OUR NEWS02/04/2026
Volunteering Has Never Been More Attractive: Special offers for 2026
ARCHELON invites you to join its field projects and actively protect sea turtles and their habitats.
- OUR NEWS09/03/2026
The Annual General Assembly of the Association
ARCHELON's Members were invited to attend the Annual General Assembly on Saturday, February 28 at the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre.
- OUR NEWS03/03/2026
Join us for the Online Presentation of 2025 Results!
On Monday, March 23rd, we have the chance to meet again online and share what we accomplished together in the past year.
- OUR NEWS03/03/2026
A Digital Adventure for Your Class with ARCHELON
Through a live connection with the Centre, students learn about the turtles’ rescue stories and discover how everyday human activities can negatively impact marine ecosystems.
- OUR NEWS24/02/2026
32 Years Returning to Nest: A Record Reproductive Lifespan for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle in Kyparissia Bay
When we analyzed the turtles’ codes, we realized that this was a turtle that had been tagged for the first time in the area 32 years ago! Specifically, turtle P4849 was tagged on July 7, 1993 and today is the turtle with the longest documented reproductive lifespan in Kyparissia Bay!
- OUR NEWS18/02/2026
"The Mediterranean We Protect" ARCHELON Presented the 2025 Results and the New LIFE MareNatura Exhibition
The presentation of our Accounts for 2025 was held with great success on Saturday, February 14th in Glyfada, honoring the people who are on the front lines for the protection of the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS11/02/2026
ARCHELON in the Lakonikos Bay: Nature, Research, Volunteering
The year 2025 was a milestone: a total of 1,253 nests were recorded and protected, while 7 female turtles were equipped with satellite transmitters, sending valuable data about their journeys across the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS23/01/2026
A turtle we treated 10 years ago was found in Spain!
“Castello” is a male Loggerhead turtle that was treated at our Rescue Centre in 2015. In 2025 he was found again at a Rescue Centre in Spain!
- OUR NEWS02/01/2026
Against All Odds: A Story of Marine Resilience from Amvrakikos Gulf
One turtle has been surviving for at least six years without a lower jaw!
- OUR NEWS29/12/2025
“Meetings with Remarkable Animals” A Heartwarming Reward for Our Efforts
Kristi Stassinopoulou shared with us a very personal moment: a sketch and a few pages from her book “Meetings with Remarkable Animals"