SOFIAS REHABILITATION AND RELEASE
CARAPACE WEIGHTING AS TREATMENT FOR LONG-TERM FLOATING DISORDER IN A LOGGERHEAD: A CASE STUDY
When Sophia arrived at the rescue centre she was very weak and inactive. She remained a passive floater for 3 months and afterwards she made little effort to dive. Within three years her activity and energy levels improved so that she was able to obtain food from the bottom of the tank, although her body position was always vertical during the dive and when she ceased efforts to remain submerged she bobbed to the surface.
At the beginning of 2004, weights (1.000g) were attached to three steel bolts affixed to the rear of her carapace using epoxy. She regained buoyancy control and was able to rest on the bottom of her tank.
The satellite transmitter fitted on Sofia is part of LIFE Nature project, which aims at the mortality reduction of Caretta caretta.
You can follow Sofia\'s movements in the sea by visiting www.seaturtle.org, where you can find the movements of all sea turtles having satellite transmitters.
Volunteer Festival at the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre
Presentation with subject
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS10/09/2026
Sea turtles kept in a restaurant tank in Chania: True love for nature begins with respect.
We all feel a sense of excitement when we encounter a wild animal up close. It is only natural to want to connect with nature, observe it and understand it better.
- OUR NEWS09/09/2026
Schools are back at ARCHELON! A new year full of learning and action
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- OUR NEWS06/09/2026
Sea Turtle Hatchlings Captivated All Ages in Corfu
- OUR NEWS01/09/2026
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When Amy Carey was 10 years old, she came face to face with a sea turtle while on holiday in Greece. Decades later, at 47, she decided it was time to turn that childhood memory into reality.
- OUR NEWS13/08/2026
Hatchlings need help in September and October: Special volunteer offer for 2 weeks!
In order to protect the nests and the last hatchlings of this year, we need the help of more volunteers!
- OUR NEWS10/08/2026
One beach party canceled, 66 nests saved in Chania!
A significant victory for the protection of sea turtles in Chania, thanks to the direct cooperation of ARCHELON and NECCA.
- OUR NEWS07/08/2026
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- OUR NEWS05/08/2026
Greek fishermen release rare Leatherback Turtle in the North Aegean!
In mid-July, we received a video of an impressive sea turtle that had been caught in the nets of a fishing boat.
- OUR NEWS30/07/2026
Join our Sea Turtle Nest Excavations in Peloponnese and Crete
ARCHELON invites you to a unique experience of environmental education and scientific observation!
- OUR NEWS20/07/2026
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- OUR NEWS17/07/2026
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- OUR NEWS15/07/2026
A rare giant of the Greek seas: What our new study reveals about the Leatherback turtle
A new scientific publication brings together for the first time all available records of the Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) in Greek waters.
- OUR NEWS10/07/2026
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To mark the launch of the project, ARCHELON carried out a series of outreach activities across Corfu, bringing local communities and visitors closer to sea turtle conservation.
- OUR NEWS08/07/2026
Protecting loggerhead sea turtles contributes to maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems.
Sea turtles play a vital role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. As part of marine food webs, they contribute to the balance and functioning of coastal and marine habitats.
- OUR NEWS05/07/2026
Is the Zakynthos National Marine Park Truly Protected?
Two cases of environmental law violations in Zakynthos that went unpunished.


