Record number of observers at the Rethymno public Caretta caretta nest excavation
Ten days after the first baby turtles hatch in each nest, trained ARCHELON volunteers publically excavate them in order to determine the amount of hatched and unhatched eggs. This type of event took place on 10 August at Rethymno, Crete, where during the public excavation by ARCHELON volunteers, a record number of people wanted to observe the procedure.
In cooperation with the Aquila Rithymna Beach Hotel, which is located close to the nest in question, the excavation attracted about 200 observers, mainly tourists. Because of this large number, more volunteers were immediately called to the excavation site in order to answer the observersʼ questions and provide information about sea turtle nests and ARCHELONʼs work.
The nest was considered to be a ʽsuccessʼ: it contained 101 eggs, from 82 of which baby turtles had hatched and successfully reached the sea, while three live babies trapped inside the nest were freed by the volunteers and helped to safely reach the sea.
For more reports about public nest excavations in Chania, click on this link to the TV programme SKAI now! (25 August). http://archelon-official.blogspot.com/ R.S.
Translation by Joanne Stournara
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